Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Accepted
Effective programme resets require understanding root causes of issues, not just addressing symptoms.
Conclusion
As a reset is a fundamental or substantial change to what a programme will achieve, or how it is delivered, it cannot be managed through routine change control procedures.82 We heard from the SRO for Ajax that when undertaking resets, it was important to understand the root causes of issues rather than just the symptoms. The IPA and HM Treasury reiterated the importance of this in helping to get resets right and avoid further unnecessary resets.83 Understanding the causes will also make it easier for programmes to set out the reset aims and focus efforts, as well as establish clear measures to assess if the reset is realistic and monitor its success.84
Government Response Summary
The government agrees with a target implementation date of June 2024. HM Treasury and IPA will develop guidance to define programme resets, clarify roles, and outline the reset management process, including reviewing and updating existing guidance on Treasury approval and assurance processes.
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.