Building web pages for crisp packets
If its anything like a typical Gov IT 'Project', here's how it went:
Gov IT person to (incumbent) IT Services Supplier "hey, we want to do this, we'd like you to go away and, free-of-charge, come up with a project to deliver a web survey".
IT Supplier Account Manager(s) "quick, grab anyone around who may have 5 minutes free to knock up a shiny architecture pic & a Power Point - but don't take any time as you can't charge for it and don't bring in additional resources as...we can't pay for it".
10 days later...
Gov IT Person to Suppliers "hmm. Your all rubbish but this option which costs 27p & a packet of crisps looks ok"
IT Supplier Account Manager (thinks) "Brilliant, I can show I'm farming my customer & winning new Biz, only trouble is the Price I agreed will pay for about 4 hours (shared) of a team of 4....hmm, better cut back on the Web Dev, as I don't have one as part of the Account team at the moment".
....10 weeks later...
IT supplier Account Manager "of course we had no budget to do the necessary software life cycle, least of all an integration/test cycle after all - you don't get much more than a hapless junior for 30 minutes for a packet of Salt & Vinegar Walkers these days y'know"
Gov IT Person "Crickey! Ah well, shut it down: that was our last 27p and that pack of crisps was from my own lunch box - we're buggered until the new FY now"
All: "Now, what do we tell the Public?"
Yup. Been there, done that, got the broken mouse (what, you think someone can afford to give out T-shirts?!)