Social services application procurement

The project issues
The London Borough of Waltham Forest undertook a major change management programme, a crucial element of which was the procurement of a new computer system for its social services department. Capturing the requirements for the new system, articulating and verifying them effectively and writing the procurement specification needed due care and diligence.

The Socitm Consulting solution
Socitm Consulting provided project management advice and guidance on the procurement of the new computer system, and recommended that Waltham Forest personnel at all levels should be closely involved in the procurement process. The Director of Social Services chaired the project board and user groups were set up which enabled managers and staff to comment on the short-listed systems. We worked closely with Waltham Forest's project team to ensure that the system would meet the wider changes happening within the department and wider organisation, including the implementation of a new finance system - SAP.

Socitm Consulting was retained for QA review as the implementation proceeded.

The benefits to the client
Involving staff that use the system on a daily basis ensured the procurement process was well understood and ran smoothly. Waltham Forest managed to complete the whole process in less than six months, fully meeting all legal and procurement standards.

Project identification
Client organisation: The London Borough of Waltham Forest
Client contact: David Flintham, Group Manager - ICT /e-Government, Community Services, 020 8496 3226, david.flintham@walthamforest.gov.uk
Lead consultant: tom.kelly@socitm.gov.uk
Project no: 4139