Local AuthorityICT / Digital
ReganStein’s ICT team was recently taken on to complete an ICT strategy, including a comprehensive review and production of recommendations relating to GDPR, for a Local Authority. The review comprised of an assessment of the current ICT organisation and operation, and development of a proposed 3-5 year ICT strategy.
It was a challenging and interesting project as the organisation is extremely complex and diverse with over 11 Directorates and an inventory of 200 disparate ICT systems. The Local Authority was also experiencing a period of significant change in scope, size and structure as it extends the boundary.
Objectives
The Local Authority had a number of demands on its ICT and Business Services that needed to be addressed by this ICT/Business Strategy. The strategy document produced would take all aspects of the organisations needs into account including responsibilities to both the public and own staff.
Methods
| Background | Before the IT review took place, gaining a solid understanding of the organisation and its drivers was essential. |
| Review of the Current Systems (The ‘As Is’) |
This phase involved the review of the current IT systems, infrastructure, and operations (the ‘AS IS’ situation) to determine if they are meeting the needs of the department/ organisation and to identify fundamental and incremental improvements required to better support the organisation. In this phase, we also conducted a review of the external environment to capture best practice currently in the sector. |
| Development of the ICT/Digital Strategy (The ‘To Be’) |
This phase pulled together the IT initiatives required to support the organisation strategy along with activities required to remedy IT systems/infrastructure shortfalls and issues identified during the review of documentation and any discussions with stakeholders. A workshop with key stakeholders was held to obtain agreement on the key initiatives and projects identified in the overall IT strategy. The output of the workshop was a roadmap of agreed initiatives and projects, with timelines, costings, and project phasing, over a five-year timescale. |
| Completion of ICT/Digital Strategy Report | Presented to client |
Results
The Local Authority was provided with an ICT/Digital Strategy report that has provided in-depth, structured analysis which supports a clear path for the future.
The organisation now has a comprehensive list of IT systems required to support strategy including ball park estimates for time, costs and resources over a 3 year period, a high level Gantt chart for IT strategy plan, and a visionary roadmap for longer-term strategic directions with regard to infrastructure, support and access & mobility.