IT Optimisation Review
Client Context
Gateshead Council commissioned an IT Optimisation Review to address a fragmented technology estate of over 200 business applications, developed historically through service-led procurement without a holistic corporate view. This had resulted in duplication, siloed data, legacy and unsupported systems, single points of failure and limited visibility of system criticality and investment planning. The Council sought to evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency and security of its IT systems, reduce risk, strengthen governance and procurement oversight and develop a prioritised IT improvement programme and long-term systems roadmap.
Our Approach
Our approach comprised the below key elements:
IT Estate Diagnostic: Comprehensive assessment of 200+ business applications, including duplication analysis, criticality review and lifecycle positioning.
Maturity and Governance Assessment: Structured review using the Gartner Maturity Model to assess leadership, strategy, governance, finance, talent and performance capability.
Data and Financial Analysis: Analysis of procurement and financial data, including 60,000+ rows of accounts payable data, to identify duplication and rationalisation opportunities.
Architecture and Standards Framework: Development of a system schematic, system standards, tiered critical systems register and defined lifecycle controls.
Cross-Organisational Engagement: Interviews and workshops with ICT SMT, SLT, system owners, Members and 90+ IT staff, supported by staff briefings and Project Board oversight.
Roadmap and Investment Design: Development of a prioritised IT Systems Roadmap, investment plan and implementation framework, separating business change from system rationalisation.
Outputs and Outcomes
Key outputs and outcomes from this work included:
IT Systems Roadmap: Development of a prioritised 5+ year roadmap aligned to contract expiries, statutory obligations and service priorities.
Single Systems Register: Creation of a consolidated register to enable phased rationalisation and inform procurement decisions.
Savings Identified: c.£1m potential savings from system rationalisation, duplication removal and cloud migration.
System Rationalisation: Reduction of overall estate from c.200+ to c.160 systems through decommissioning, consolidation and improved use of corporate platforms.
Governance and Controls: Recommendation to establish system standards, a tiered critical systems register, lifecycle controls and a Technical Design Authority.
Operating Model and Workforce: Proposed hub-and-spoke DDaT structure and strengthened succession planning to reduce single points of failure.
Performance Framework: Introduction of a Portfolio Management Performance Framework to improve measurement and accountability.
About Us
Human Engine is a leading management consultancy with specialisms in strategy, transformation, digital, commercial, procurement and projects.
Founded in 2018, we have partnered with more than 50 local authorities, central government, NHS organisations and national charities to help transform their strategies, operations and cultures.
Our mission is to help individuals and organisations to do the best work of their lives. We do this by blending first-hand, practical experience of the problems we help our clients solve with award-winning consulting expertise and an approach based on trust, collaboration and partnership.