Scotland Debate

[Foxholer]

The problem with government IT projects is more often that not due to moving goalposts. The suppler signs up to deliver one thing but the process takes so long that by the time they get going the requirements change and so cost start escalating - and so on it goes with a government or departmental expert appearing out of every nook and cranny proclaiming to be a key stakeholder and to be consulted - and so it goes on.

Certainly agree about the moving goalposts and stakeholders! That's why National Health IT Systems (worldwide!) are fraught with risk! There's a rule of thumb that any IT project (in Government or elsewhere) that takes > 6 months has a 50% chance of failure; and any that takes more than a year is 'bound to fail' - though I've seen some notable exceptions!

Some IT projects work pretty well though. Government Gateway for one - on 30/31st January of each year it is - with the HMRC Tax SA website - one of the most heavily used transactions websites in the world - and tends to keep going under the strain.

There's a difference between a system working well - or at least appearing to - and the development (and ongoing) cost being effective!

There's no way that the Government Gateway project can either be justified (or not) because the costs and benefits have not been measured! And that's from a National Audit report on it. Here's a couple of quotes.

Read Paras 21 and 22 of this summary of that project. http://www.nao.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/n10121589es.pdf

And there are plenty of higher transaction rates than the Self Assessment one - which was very dodgy initially (some years ago)!

 

[Doon frae Troon]

Yeah, the one shining light is that I will be able to nip across the border to get my tinnies after the joyless Salmond has ramped up the minimum alcohol pricing. Will have to join the queue at the Longtown Spa.

The only drink the minimum price will hit is Buckfast and white cider.
Thankfully the 3 for a tenner wines were hit by the excellent multi drinks promotion law.
Tidied up the supermarket isles as well.

 

[Foxholer]

Tidied up the supermarket isles as well.

:whoo:

Easily amused today!

 

[stevie_r]

It is certainly always hoaching with tourists around there although I suspect Holyrood (across the road) is the bigger draw.

Is no doubt the correct answer.

 

[Doon frae Troon]

:whoo:

Easily amused today!

oops!

 

[stevie_r]

The only drink the minimum price will hit is Buckfast and white cider.
Thankfully the 3 for a tenner wines were hit by the excellent multi drinks promotion law.
Tidied up the supermarket isles as well.

That's probably not strictly true tbh

 

[lex!]

The only drink the minimum price will hit is Buckfast and white cider.

What?! That's my cocktail of choice. Has the big man got something personal against me?

 

[stevie_r]

I have a problem with minimum pricing for units of alcohol. There are a significant number of households in Scotland, with small children, where alcohol is the priority. Raising the price won't alter that priority, it will simply mean less available cash to provide a decent standard of care for the child.

 

[ger147]

The problem with government IT projects is more often that not due to moving goalposts. The suppler signs up to deliver one thing but the process takes so long that by the time they get going the requirements change and so cost start escalating - and so on it goes with a government or departmental expert appearing out of every nook and cranny proclaiming to be a key stakeholder and to be consulted - and so it goes on.

Some IT projects work pretty well though. Government Gateway for one - on 30/31st January of each year it is - with the HMRC Tax SA website - one of the most heavily used transactions websites in the world - and tends to keep going under the strain.

The Government Gateway processed about 600k transactions on 31st Jan but although that's alot, it is in a different solar system to genuinely worldwide systems which process large volumes of transactions every single day.

For example, PayPal get thru over 9 million transactions per day and VISA 47 thousand transactions per second every single day of the year all year round.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

For me, it has to be Fettes College

(where tony blair learnt how to be a socialist)

A pseudo-french chateau confection. Talking fancy pants Edinburgh school buildings I rather prefer Donaldson's College. But I don;t really know Embra architecture

 

[Foxholer]

A pseudo-french chateau confection. Talking fancy pants Edinburgh school buildings I rather prefer Donaldson's College. But I don;t really know Embra architecture

Isn't that 'faux-French'?

National Gallery Building still easiest on the eye. though this one is my 'favourite'! http://www.fishersbistros.co.uk/fishers-in-the-city.php

:thup:

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Isn't that 'faux-French'?

je nessie pa...

And I agree - The National Gallery is a very classy (or should that be neoclassical) piece of architecture

 

[Foxholer]

Lot of time for this one too!

https://plus.google.com/117709173950855712810/photos/photo/5817434453211319314

Especially like the ceilings and there are a couple of other's with similar adornments - The Guildford being a favourite for Pale Ales! Check the ceiling in the main pic! http://www.guildfordarms.com/

 

[Doon frae Troon]

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=r...CKInR7Aani4CIBA&ved=0CDAQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=618

One of my favourite Scottish buildings

 

[stevie_r]

https://www.google.co.uk/search?q=r...CKInR7Aani4CIBA&ved=0CDAQsAQ&biw=1366&bih=618

One of my favourite Scottish buildings

They are indeed magnificent, had a decent scrub there once while sailing :thup:

 

[SocketRocket]

They are indeed magnificent, had a decent scrub there once while sailing :thup:

Is that what they call it now

 

[Doon frae Troon]

That's the clincher then.......... David Bowie wants us to stay.

 

[ger147]

That's the clincher then.......... David Bowie wants us to stay.

I hear Beyonce's people are drafting a statement...

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

It'll be his Scottish heritage - and I'm sure I saw him wear tartan once.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I hear Beyonce's people are drafting a statement...

that would probably be a bum steer