How much is too much?

Recent Freedom of Information requests have produced startling insights into the cost of some Government websites. The Crown Prosecution Service for England and Wales (CPS) website development and running costs amounted to £370,000 over 5 years. The cost of the UK Supreme Court and Judicial Committee of the Privy Council websites was £360,000.

Are these sites particularly complex, perhaps online applications like the very good DVLC website? No! These are essentially non-transactional, information websites, like most companies have. Indeed, it has been reported that the sites are open to criticism, for their coding standards and functionality.

How did this come to pass? Well, the Supreme Court website contract was not tendered but was undertaken by Logica as part of a broader framework agreement. Logica were also responsible for the CPS website, although the CPS refused to say why Logica were chosen. So, while we can't say for sure why these websites were so expensive, we can make some tentative suggestions:

1. Failure of procurement - by not going out to tender, the best value for money was not prioritised
2. Failure of leadership - stakeholders and project managers failed to get a grip on the projects
3. Failure of planning -  leadership failed to properly scope and manage requirements
4. Failure of strategy - leadership, technical and others, failed to consider alternative platforms for realising the requirements.

Good websites do cost money, although sites like these should not cost anywhere near this amount. Using open source software and agile development processes can significantly reduce production and maintenance costs. It's time Government wised up!

UPDATE:

It was recently reported that Birmingham City Council's website was nearly five years late and cost a staggering £2.8 million to develop, and was still criticised internally for fundamental failings. The cost to the city, of the delayed implementation, has actually been estimated at £6 million, "delay has contributed to an estimated £10 million shortfall this year in business transformation savings".