Comments on: Tom Steinberg on government data and information http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2008/10/tom-steinberg-on-government-data-and-information/ The inside track since 2003 Sun, 14 Mar 2010 00:18:16 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Podnosh Blog » Archive » EDM 2141 - please write to your MP. http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2008/10/tom-steinberg-on-government-data-and-information/comment-page-1/#comment-59362 Podnosh Blog » Archive » EDM 2141 - please write to your MP. Wed, 05 Nov 2008 15:41:22 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=2795#comment-59362 [...] note that senior figures in your own party have spoken in favour of freeing public data. Not least Tom Watson, who’s work as Cabinet Office Minister is encouraging collaboration on new ways to get public [...] [...] note that senior figures in your own party have spoken in favour of freeing public data. Not least Tom Watson, who’s work as Cabinet Office Minister is encouraging collaboration on new ways to get public [...]

]]> By: Brian Hughes http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2008/10/tom-steinberg-on-government-data-and-information/comment-page-1/#comment-58587 Brian Hughes Tue, 21 Oct 2008 16:48:16 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=2795#comment-58587 There are still some pretty smart dudes down the road from me at GCHQ. And they must be quite choosy 'cos they wouldn't take me! There are still some pretty smart dudes down the road from me at GCHQ. And they must be quite choosy ‘cos they wouldn’t take me!

]]> By: Simon Dickson http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/2008/10/tom-steinberg-on-government-data-and-information/comment-page-1/#comment-58580 Simon Dickson Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:32:38 +0000 http://www.tom-watson.co.uk/?p=2795#comment-58580 I picked up on the same extract from Tom's speech: see <a href="http://puffbox.com/2008/10/15/mysociety-outsourcing-precedents/" rel="nofollow">post at puffbox.com</a>. I agreed 100% with the sentiment, but was a bit wary about the terms used. Tom clarified in the comments: 'when I talk about consultancies, I'm talking about 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 digit outsourcing contracts.' I'm relieved. At the lower end of the spectrum, I'm entirely convinced - having seen both sides - that outsourcing smaller jobs to smaller operations is the right thing to do, and possibly the only thing to do. In my own case, since going consultancy, I'm turning over lots of small projects, and learning with each one; everyone benefits as a result. Equally, I'm just as convinced that there are big things which only government itself can properly deliver. That leaves the question, what role for the 'horribly expensive consultancies'? I picked up on the same extract from Tom’s speech: see post at puffbox.com. I agreed 100% with the sentiment, but was a bit wary about the terms used. Tom clarified in the comments: ‘when I talk about consultancies, I’m talking about 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12 digit outsourcing contracts.’ I’m relieved.

At the lower end of the spectrum, I’m entirely convinced – having seen both sides – that outsourcing smaller jobs to smaller operations is the right thing to do, and possibly the only thing to do. In my own case, since going consultancy, I’m turning over lots of small projects, and learning with each one; everyone benefits as a result.

Equally, I’m just as convinced that there are big things which only government itself can properly deliver. That leaves the question, what role for the ‘horribly expensive consultancies’?

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