Source · Select Committees · Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee
Recommendation 27
27
Paragraph: 114
SROs should lead a project from start to completion, and remain accountable for delivering benefits...
Conclusion
SROs should lead a project from start to completion, and remain accountable for delivering benefits after completion. Heads of Departments should ensure that the right incentives are in place to retain SROs, including career or pay progression opportunities as appropriate. SROs should have enough time to lead properly the projects for which they are accountable—and in many cases, this will require the SRO to work full time on that project.
Paragraph Reference:
114
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
Government agrees that consistency of leadership is very important in major projects. SRO turnover has reduced in recent years and the IPA is looking at measures to improve retention further, including pay, reward, and progression. There should be agreement from the outset on the expected tenure of the SRO on the project, ideally throughout its life, or to agreed milestones (which may be necessary, for example, on lengthy projects which may span a decade or more). It is clear that, as well as continuity of project leadership being important to a project’s success, transparency and accountability is too. Government recognises that SRO time commitment on projects is often too low currently. In future, SRO time commitment on the project will need to be agreed on appointment, and will be reviewed as part of assurance before key stage gates: satisfactory arrangements will need to be in place before a project will be given approval to progress.