How industry can help government overcome legacy IT and unlock emerging technologies
Industry has a critical role to play in helping government overcome legacy IT challenges, but success depends on addressing organisational complexity as well as technology.
Legacy technology remains a significant barrier to public sector transformation. Across government, organisations continue to rely on systems that support critical services but are increasingly difficult and expensive to maintain. The Government's Legacy IT Risk Assessment Framework highlights the operational, security and delivery risks associated with ageing technology estates.
However, the challenge is rarely just the technology itself.
In many organisations, legacy systems have become intertwined with years of process changes, local customisations and workarounds. Over time, these adaptations become embedded in day-to-day operations. Replacing technology alone does not automatically deliver better outcomes. Without addressing the underlying causes of complexity, organisations risk recreating old problems on new platforms.
This is where industry can make the greatest contribution.
The most valuable support is often not providing technology but helping organisations understand the full extent of the challenge they are trying to solve. Before launching major transformation programmes, organisations need a clear view of their systems, data, processes and dependencies. Industry partners can bring the experience, methods and independent perspective needed to establish that understanding and create a strong evidence base for change.
Industry can also help government avoid common transformation pitfalls. Public sector organisations may undertake a major ERP, HR, finance or case management replacement once every decade or more. Experienced delivery partners have seen similar challenges across multiple organisations and programmes. That experience can help identify risks earlier, challenge assumptions and support better decision making.
This becomes increasingly important as organisations seek to take advantage of emerging technologies such as AI, automation and advanced analytics. The government's AI Opportunities Action Plan sets out an ambitious vision for AI adoption across public services and the wider economy. Yet successful adoption depends on much more than implementing new technology.
Many of the foundations required for AI are the same foundations required for successful legacy modernisation. Data must be trustworthy, processes well understood and governance arrangements effective. Organisations also need the capability and confidence to use technology responsibly and effectively.
Industry can help establish these foundations by improving data quality and governance, simplifying business processes and supporting the development of clear target operating models. These activities may attract less attention than technology procurement, but they are often what determine whether transformation delivers lasting value.
Perhaps most importantly, industry should focus on building capability rather than dependency. The most successful partnerships leave organisations stronger than they found them through knowledge transfer, coaching and capability development.
Government has already recognised the importance of addressing legacy technology through its guidance on mitigating and preventing legacy IT, including the role that supplier and commercial management can play in reducing long-term technology risk.
The opportunities are clear: greater efficiency, improved service delivery, better use of data and increased adoption of emerging technologies. Achieving those outcomes requires more than replacing ageing systems. It requires industry and government to work together to reduce complexity, build capability and create the foundations for sustainable transformation.
