Qld Transport halts 'too expensive' asset management overhaul

Queensland Transport and Main Roads is heading back to the drawing board to try and find a new, cheaper way to modernise its asset management systems, after declaring its existing TIAMS project too expensive to proceed.

The department has been engaged in planning for the replacement of its transport infrastructure asset management system (TIAMS) since at least 2012.

The project was originally valued at $3.1 million in the 2012 Queensland ICT audit [pdf], compiled by then-government CIO Peter Grant.

Grant at the time reported that the "existing departmental asset management systems have limited life and expansion capability, and asset managers are highly dependent in system capability to deliver reliable information and analysis in a timely manner”.

But after undertaking an approach to market for indicative pricing for the IT overhaul, the procurement process revealed TMR was not in a position to pay for the big bang approach it had planned.

The department has therefore now commenced ‘project phoenix’ -  an attempt to resurrect its legacy IT replacement through a trimmed-back, budget-friendly schedule.

It wants to recruit IT consultants to help it identify priority “pain points” and model an iterative implementation schedule that will allow it to move forward with its plans within its budgetary limits.

TMR is intending to have a new application for funding into the state's Treasury by March, to maximise its chances of securing new money in the forthcoming year’s state budget.

Tender documents reveal TMR considers the IT replacement too important to scrap altogether.

“There remains a critical need to address many of the existing issues in transport infrastructure asset management information systems,” the agency said.

It envisions the new asset management IT program will be based on “more affordable and staggered budget allocations”.

The department is expecting the consultancy it ultimately hires to think outside the box and consider alternative replacement paths.

It has highlighted sharing asset management processes and implementation plans with other similar organisations, or sharing asset management systems with other entities.

TMR intends to have a list of first initiatives in place by March, with more detailed replacement roadmap and costings due by June 2015.