4.52 The track record of performance in IT has reflected these qualitative differences. Although performance has been good in comparison to the IT sector as a whole, the best performing projects were those that renegotiated their contracts after signature to obtain greater ongoing flexibility and looser output specifications, moving away from the PFI model. Although it is encouraging that user expectations were generally met or exceeded, the results suggest that there is still room for significant improvement in the procurement of IT, and that PFI has not delivered the step-change in performance that the Government originally intended, and still requires.
4.53 HM Treasury, with the assistance of Partnerships UK, sought views from managers and users of a sample of 16 operational public sector IT projects. This research was intended to be indicative, rather than comprehensive, and as such was more limited in scope than other surveys of PFI projects carried out by HM Treasury and reported in this document. The sample used was a representative one, including projects by a variety of departments and authorities and of a variety of size. 11 projects responded in full.