Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 6
6
Encourage departments to understand and manage full risks when resetting major programmes.
Conclusion
Resetting programmes can create new risks that are not always effectively managed. A programme reset is much more than the routine change management expected within any large programme. To help address the root causes of any underlying issues, a reset will necessarily significantly change what or how a programme delivers. This will introduce new risks and opportunities that need to be identified and managed such as creating new commercial relationships or changing existing ones if necessary by contractual changes. In not recognising these challenges, on its Ajax programme, the Ministry of Defence had to undertake a further reset. It is vital that departments fully appreciate the new risk landscape. Recommendation 6: The Infrastructure and Projects Authority should encourage and support departments to understand the full risks when resetting a programme. Alongside the Treasury Minute response to this report, the IPA should write to us setting out how it is considering this as part of its ongoing assurance and review of major programmes. 8 Resetting government programmes 1 Recognising a reset
Government Response
A response document is linked to this report, dated 18 November 2023. Response attribution to this conclusion has not been verified. Read the response document ↗