Kainos and Defra have been shortlisted at the UK IT Industry Awards

Kainos and Defra have been named as finalists in the IT Project Team of the Year category at the upcoming 2021 UK IT Industry Awards.

Designed to celebrate excellence, the awards recognise those individuals, projects, organisations and technologies that have excelled in the use, development and deployment of IT over the previous 12 months. Hosted by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT and Computing, the awards are regarded as the benchmark for outstanding performance across the UK computer industry.

Kainos' shortlisting with Defra in the Project Team of the Year category is recognition of the company's innovative and ongoing work with the UK government body that is responsible for safeguarding our natural environment, food industry and rural economy. Together, the team delivered critical services for the UK’s exit from the EU to safeguard vital industries, UK economy and trade, while advancing future digital trade systems. 

The team used a blend of agile delivery, technical innovation and close collaboration with subject matter experts to reduce delivery times. A multi-party leadership team was also created to manage and overcome the programme’s many challenges.

The objective was to develop services to allow industry and Defra delivery bodies to operate successfully from the day the UK left the EU. The program surpassed customer, trade, end-user and government expectations. It was delivered within budget and on time despite the ongoing uncertainty, changing deadlines and the pandemic.

All the services are live with no major incidents or outages, which is a real testament to the quality of the services built. Furthermore, government-critical services usually take some years to deliver - to build a digital delivery capability from scratch in 18 months was unprecedented.

The innovative technologies and methods used, along with the lessons learnt throughout, have left a lasting impact on Defra. It’s changed how Defra will deliver high-risk digital projects in future, with a new Major Projects function within the Digital, Data and Technology Services team being formed to own the delivery of complex, high-risk digital projects. 

Winners of the UK IT Industry Awards will be announced on 10th November 2021.

For the full shortlist visit the awards website.