Recommendation 17

The time needed to undertake a reset will vary. Across 24 resets, the NAO found that the time spent ranged from less than three months to more than a year. Various factors contribute to the time needed for a reset such as the complexity of the programme and reset; the need to understand the underlying issues and potential opportunities; involving (and potentially rebuilding) a supply chain; engaging stakeholders, including contractors, so they remain supportive; and seeking programme approvals.57 The SRO for Crossrail described how time may be needed to work through commercial issues. On Crossrail the project team spent time re-establishing contracts and creating the right incentives to get the railway open.58 Political involvement can also mean extra time is needed for a reset. The Ajax SRO told us that over the last 18 months, the programme had benefited from very strong hands-on ministerial involvement, with his biggest lesson being that this created decision-making processes that should be planned for.59 The SROs identified how changing ministers could create additional work for programme teams.60