The Dutch
parliament has initiated an inquiry for the reason of failed IT projects. Government's
overall record in developing and implementing new IT systems is appalling.
It took the parliament only a little more than two years to start the inquiry. The results of the first hearing are remarkably identical to the results of similar inquiries all over the world, like in Australia, Canada and the UK, to name a few. Reasons for the failures are, amongst others, poor procurement, governance, project management and client service. Also the ‘’rip off’ culture of system implementers (as mentioned in the UK report) was discussed in The Netherlands.
However there is one element that is never been discussed to its full extend: the regulatory capability of government and the support quality for this capability of IT-systems. A Dutch publicist asked in 2011 the following question. 'Suppose your core business and process is making rules and enforcing rules. Would it not make sense to install IT systems that enable you to do so? This would require systems in which the rules – and their frequent changes – are maintained separate from IT-applications.'
A spokesman
of the IT industry confirmed that these systems are now on the market. However the
industry strongly advised the government not to use them. The consequences of
the reduction in billable IT workforce hours and the lower license costs, due to
simpler to maintain systems, would be detrimental for the industry. It would totally disrupt the market position of the Dutch IT-industry that was already lagging behind the international competition. Also the
role of internal IT-departments would change too much into a business oriented
role.
Therefore this kind of 'too good to implement' solutions should remain out of the scope of the inquiry. After all, the main intention of the industry (and a part of the government as well) was to go back to business-as-usual as soon as possible.Therefore the traditional way of working and proven food chain supply should prevail.
The inquiry committee is expected to follow this well-grounded advice. A new inquiry committee is foreseen for the year 2016.If this post makes your smile, please share it with your friends and colleagues. Thanks!