Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 9
9
Accepted
IPA and central government bodies crucial in identifying and building case for programme resets.
Conclusion
Although those deciding on a reset, such as the SRO or programme board, need to be aware of what may trigger a reset we consistently heard how the IPA and central government bodies, could help identify or build the case for significant change.25 The IPA told us how, quite often, although programmes would ideally identify the need to change, those involved would not necessarily see the issues without independent analysis and data.26 We have previously recommended, in our report on improving the accounting officer assessment process, how HMT and IPA should use their information to understand programmes specific risks and wider issues.27 Addressing the factors behind a reset
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with the committee's observations and commits to developing new guidance by June 2024 with HM Treasury and IPA, establishing a common definition for programme resets and outlining roles and responsibilities for identifying and managing them. They will also review and update existing guidance to clarify how current processes apply to project resets.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
1.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: June 2024 1.2 HM Treasury and the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) will work together to develop guidance establishing a common definition for programme and project resets across government, as well as their organisation’s roles and responsibilities in helping departments to identify whether programmes or projects should be reset and how to manage the reset process. This will include guidance setting out precisely what should be considered when undergoing a reset as well as the roles and responsibilities of those overseeing the programme or project when this is reset, such as the senior responsible owner (SRO) and accounting officer. 1.3 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: June 2024 1.4 HM Treasury and the IPA will review their existing guidance and update this as necessary to clarify how existing processes and good practice apply to programme and project resets, filling in any gaps as required. This includes updating HM Treasury’s guidance for the Treasury Approvals Process for programmes and projects to clarify how programme and project resets fit within existing Treasury approval and assurance processes, including when HM Treasury approval and updated accounting officer assessments are required and how IPA assurance reviews and wider processes such as ‘response to red’ might trigger a reset.