Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 3
3
Accepted
Require IPA to foster openness and transparency across programmes and monitor profession skills
Conclusion
Not having the right environment to encourage diverse views, transparency and constructive challenge has created problems in identifying and managing resets. A transparent and honest culture helps create an environment which supports constructive challenge and open conversations. This will encourage risks and issues, such as the potential need for a reset, to be discussed early with a full consideration of options, including if a programme should be stopped. We have seen programmes, such as Crossrail, when there has not been sufficient candour, for example on the civil contact, and as a result resets being undertaken later than needed. Having a diverse range of individuals, such as non-executive directors, to provide views contributes to creating an effective environment and leads to better decision- making. There is more progress to be made in improving diversity amongst those in central government as well as across the programme profession. Recommendation 3: The Infrastructure and Projects Authority should encourage and support departments in developing an environment of openness and transparency across programmes. Alongside the Treasury Minute response to this report, it should write to the Committee setting out how it plans to do this and monitor skills across all aspects of the profession against targets. This should include its pool of assessors, non-executives and practitioners.
Government Response Summary
The government agrees, outlining existing continuous learning and courses for leaders, and commits to reviewing how it can further address transparency, confirming a letter with more information was sent to the Committee.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. continuous learning and provide opportunities for senior leaders to share lessons and exchange knowledge openly and transparently. It also runs courses for senior leaders and Ministers on how to create the conditions for success and a culture of psychological safety to ensure signs of underperformance are spotted and raised in good time. The IPA will review how it can further address concerns regarding transparency across government programmes and projects, to help encourage open and honest working environments where team members feel able to share concerns and highlight risks and issues early. The IPA provided further information in a letter to the Committee, issued alongside the publication of this Treasury Minute.