IT experts have expressed concern over the government’s admission that it will not test all the technology behind the identity card scheme before it goes live.

In the Home Office response to a report from the Commons Science and Technology Committee (Computing, 10 August), the government says it is impractical to test all aspects of the IT.

‘It would not be realistic to rigorously test everything before the scheme goes live, to the point where the government can be sure that no further changes need to be made to the design of the scheme,’ says the Identity Cards Technologies: Scientific Advice, Risk and Evidence report published last week.

‘Some parts of the scheme will not be tested, but will use off-the-shelf technology that has been adequately tested elsewhere.’

A Home Office spokeswoman told Computing that full testing is unnecessary.

‘It would not be an efficient use of public money to rigorously test the low-risk technologies,’ she said. ‘Trials do not mirror real-life situations, but we will test the technology end-to-end as we go live with ID cards incrementally.’

Lack of testing has often been cited as a reason for government IT projects running into difficulty.

Jim Norton, senior policy adviser at the Institute of Directors, says the government needs to be careful with its approach to testing.

‘The government often falls down on major projects by focusing too much on the technology and not the people required to make it effective,’ he said. ‘But it is a concern if it skimps on the testing instead of trialling technology in a real-life environment.’

Nick Kalisperas, government practice director at supplier group Intellect, says testing should not be treated as a hold-up.

‘People criticising the programme because time is allowed for adequate testing should not regard time for piloting and testing as a delay,’ he said.

Eric Woods, government practice director at analyst Ovum, said: ‘Testing should not be squeezed out under the pressure of other considerations such as changing objectives or shortening budgets.

‘We need to test to be sure how the elements of a system come together in a live environment.’

What do you think? Email us at feedback@computing.co.uk

Further reading

ID card plan needs IT advice

MPs critical of ID cards plan

Review delays start of ID card procurement