4
Recommendation
Seventy-First Report - Resetting govern…
Acknowledged
On too many occasions, programmes have suffered from resets being done too quickly. The time needed to undertake a successful reset will vary case-by-case, influenced by factors such as the programme complexity and breadth of the reset. Resets of government programmes have on occasion taken less than three months and …
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On too many occasions, programmes have suffered from resets being done too quickly. The time needed to undertake a successful reset will vary case-by-case, influenced by factors such as the programme complexity and breadth of the reset. Resets of government programmes have on occasion taken less than three months and sometimes more than a year. Teams can underestimate how much time a reset can take. There can be pressures to complete resets quickly, with teams not being given the space and time to think about the next steps; if a reset is being undertaken it must be done properly, otherwise it simply increases the risk of further resets. Recommendation 4: By June 2024, HM Treasury and the Infrastructure and Projects Authority should have drawn together and shared with the profession its insights on the factors influencing the time needed to undertake a reset and Resetting government programmes 7 encourage programme teams to be realistic on the time they need. In doing this they should review their own processes to ensure they do not introduce milestones that incentivise rushed resets.
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees and states it will continue to encourage departments to allow sufficient time for resets, also highlighting the existing IPA ‘response to red’ process. It does not commit to drawing together and sharing specific insights by June 2024.
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HM Treasury
10
Conclusion
Seventy-First Report - Resetting govern…
Acknowledged
Various factors, both internal and external to a programme, can contribute to the need for a reset.28 We heard how this can include the programme going off track, the need to improve confidence in supplier delivery, or to resolve technical problems and set a realistic schedule.29 Factors can result from …
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Various factors, both internal and external to a programme, can contribute to the need for a reset.28 We heard how this can include the programme going off track, the need to improve confidence in supplier delivery, or to resolve technical problems and set a realistic schedule.29 Factors can result from deep-rooted issues caused by poor programme planning, the importance of which we have been stressing for some time.30 The IPA told us it is trying to encourage practitioners to set up projects well given they are much harder to fix in-flight. It described how it has a several tools to help with project set-ups, and therefore reduce resets, and that it was working to equip SROs and project directors to have the right skills and knowledge at the start of a programme.31 The SRO for Ajax commented favourably on the IPAs range of products.32
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Government response AI summary
The government agrees with the committee's observations, outlining existing IPA tools and processes for project planning and assurance. By June 2024, the IPA and HM Treasury will review and update relevant guidance and bring all existing guidance together for easier access.
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HM Treasury
11
Conclusion
Seventy-First Report - Resetting govern…
Acknowledged
The IPA suggested that its assurance work has become much more rigorous – it has republished the assurance workbooks it uses to undertake reviews; refreshed its pool of available independent reviewers; and started to provide them with training.33 For the 100 programmes it has the capacity to support, the IPA …
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The IPA suggested that its assurance work has become much more rigorous – it has republished the assurance workbooks it uses to undertake reviews; refreshed its pool of available independent reviewers; and started to provide them with training.33 For the 100 programmes it has the capacity to support, the IPA told us it gets more deeply involved as early as it can to help avoid issues that can lead to a programme failing later. As part of this it will look at, for example, whether there is a robust schedule, a stakeholder alignment plan, and a robust cost estimate.34
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the committee's observations about the IPA's assurance work by noting that the IPA has recently updated its gate review and assurance mechanisms and is strengthening the ‘response to red’ process for timely interventions.
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HM Treasury
12
Conclusion
Seventy-First Report - Resetting govern…
Acknowledged
Although some resets could be avoided, the IPA suggested there may be occasions where multiple resets are necessary, particularly for long-term programmes.35 External factors, including financial pressures, political changes, technology developments or events 22 Q 11 23 Qq 115, 128–129 24 Q 117 25 Qq 11, 17, 97; C&AG’s Report, …
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Although some resets could be avoided, the IPA suggested there may be occasions where multiple resets are necessary, particularly for long-term programmes.35 External factors, including financial pressures, political changes, technology developments or events 22 Q 11 23 Qq 115, 128–129 24 Q 117 25 Qq 11, 17, 97; C&AG’s Report, para 10 26 Qq 115, 105 27 Committee of Public Accounts, Improving the Accounting Officer Assessment process, Twenty-Eighth Report of Session 2022–23, HC 43, 30 November 2022, recommendation 4 28 Q 89; C&AG’s Report, paras 12–13 29 Qq 2–3 30 Q 138; C&AG’s Report, para 12 31 Qq introductory remarks before q102, 135, 167 32 Q 68 33 Q 118 34 Q 167 35 Q 134 Resetting government programmes 11 such as the COVID-19 pandemic, can lead to a reset.36 At present, those programmes in construction are being particularly impacted by inflation.37 The SRO for Universal Credit felt resets were a natural result of major long-term projects. He highlighted how the United Kingdom leaving the European Union, devolution of benefits to Scotland, the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing cost-of-living challenges had all impacted the programme.38 He also mentioned how, although there had been one Secretary of State for six years, he is now on his ninth Secretary of State since he started as SRO in 2014.39 He felt it was impossible to ‘freeze politics’, which became more of a challenge for projects extending beyond a parliamentary term.40 Creating the right environment
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledged that some resets could be avoided, and that external factors can lead to a reset.
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HM Treasury