Storm ID appointed to support the Scottish Government’s digital transformation of the Scottish planning system

Leading digital transformation consultancy Storm ID has been awarded a service provider contract to support the development of a working prototype for payments in the Scottish planning system.

The digital transformation of the Scottish planning system is progressing, in line with the 7 key delivery priorities set for the first year of programme activity.

This project focuses on one of these objectives; improving how planning, building and warrant applications fee payments are made through the eDevelopment service as well as redeveloping the existing fee calculator to enable the cost of planning and building standards applications to be determined.

From November 2021 to May 2022, Storm ID will work collaboratively with the Digital Planning team, undertaking a Discovery and Alpha resulting in a working prototype of a single payment system to be used first with the current eDevelopment service for payment of fees for planning and building standards applications, and in the future as part of the replacement of the eDevelopment service.

Storm ID is standing up a multidisciplinary team to work in collaboration with the Scottish Government Digital Planning team across technical analysis to review how the current payment solution and fee calculator function and how reconciliation of payments for applications is achieved. The technical consultancy activities will centre on data flows from payment components and how these relate to accounting / ERP systems.

Engagement with stakeholders will assist in determining appetite for change plus identification of suitable local authorities for early testing and adoption. Alongside a prototype of the fee calculation and payments components of the service, a technical options appraisal will also be undertaken to support the development of a working prototype during Alpha. The working prototype will undergo user testing and trialling with two local authorities.

Paul McGinness, Co-founder and Director at Storm ID, said
Working in collaboration with the Scottish Government Digital Planning team to support the digital transformation of the Scottish planning system is an engagement that we’re excited about. We look forward to working collaboratively with the Digital Planning team through Discovery and Alpha on the payments solution for the planning system.

Dave Hall, Deputy Head of Digital Planning said
This project is the first step in our journey to deliver the ambitions set out in ‘Transforming Places Together’, the Scottish Government’s digital planning transformation strategy. We’re excited to be working with Storm ID and particularly proud of the collaborative and experimental approach that we’re taking, working with and learning from users of the planning system to design new services that better meet their needs.

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