The Planning Act 2008 introduced a number of changes to simplify and improve the process of appealing against Local Authority planning decisions, so changing the way in which the Planning Inspectorate (PINS) delivered its services. In order to understand the technical changes required to facilitate these changes, PINS engaged SCISYS to define the technical strategy which would enable them to deliver the new business services. SCISYS’ involvement included:

• Assisting the Planning Inspectorate with their business planning and corporate strategy development
• An assessment of the technical and business impact of the new services based on an evaluation of existing Information Management systems
• Developing and documenting a technical strategy, used as the foundation to enable PINS to deliver new services
• Business process and change management, including a review of current operations and ascertaining the requirements necessary for future business processes
• The business and technical system specification of a solution, including technical architectures
• Development of an OGC-compliant high-level business case to support business planning and processes

Since then, SCISYS has continued to support the Planning Inspectorate through the provision of PRINCE2 project management support and technical assurance, a review of the IT division’s back-up processes and development of software to add functionality to an existing system.

Feedback from PINS was very positive: “We have found SCISYS to be both affable to work with and professional. Through working with us, rather than for us, they have managed to engage with staff. This in turn has helped underpin their delivery and our confidence in it.”