Since 2003 LJMU has had in place a comprehensive development programme (the Systems Development Projects Programme, or SDPP) which includes all university-wide projects that involve the deployment of information systems and associated processes. The programme is run according to the Office of Government Commerce ‘Managing Successful Programmes’ methodology1 with executive-level sponsorship, a senior-level programme board and a senior IT/IS manager as Programme Director. The programme’s initial five-year timescale has now been extended to eight years (2003–2012) and is fully established as the structure for managing and coordinating all major information systems projects.