Governmental shift in UK IT migration project: responsibility transferred from Cabinet Office to another department, delaying Microsoft transition.
The UK Cabinet Office has handed over the responsibility for migrating from Google Workspace to Microsoft 365 (M365) to another government department, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ). This decision comes after the Cabinet Office's initial approach, the Falcon programme, faced challenges and concerns, resulting in a 'red' NISTA rating.
The Falcon programme, initially managed by the Cabinet Office, aimed to build its own IT system for this change. However, the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) reported that this approach was not the most cost-effective option. The project, which began in May 2022, aims to move around 15,000 Cabinet Office users to M365.
The decision to move off Google Workspace is due to the difficulty in collaborating with other organizations and the potential benefits of using new Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools. Additionally, the difference between Google and Microsoft systems used by the Cabinet Office's partners can make working together and sharing information difficult.
The new plan involves moving the digital services to a shared government service called Integrated Corporate Services (ICS), managed by DESNZ. This change is expected to deliver significant benefits, allowing for greater collaboration and joint working with partners across government. The savings come from the Cabinet Office no longer having to build its own platform, outsourcing to another government department, and securing migration resources from Microsoft and partners at no investment cost.
Despite the transfer of responsibility, the NISTA rating for the project remains 'red' due to concerns about transitioning the Cabinet Office Business Units to the new services within the planned time frame. The delay in the pilot, now projected for completion by September 2025, has contributed to this assessment.
It is important to note that the Cabinet Office has not yet moved staff and data from the Google Workspace system to Microsoft 365. The contract with Capgemini, who were initially hired to provide services for the migration, remains available for the Cabinet Office to use if required.
The expected whole life cost of the project is expected to fall from £51 million to £23 million, representing a substantial saving of £24.1 million. This new approach will take a longer time to complete but will save money in the long run.
The Cabinet Office's use of Google Workspace dates back to 2010-2011, when Government Digital Services began using the platform. This change in direction marks a significant shift in the UK government's digital strategy.
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