Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 17
17
Accepted
Defra pursues business transformation, aiming to reduce duplication across Group IT systems.
Conclusion
In parallel with its work on address legacy IT systems, Defra told us it was embarking on a fundamental business transformation process, including potentially major structural changes to the Defra Group. Defra explained that this will include considering how it could reduce duplication across the Group.36 For example, it explained that across Defra Group, many bodies issued licenses and permits and there were 37 different IT applications that supported this. It explained that it thought that there was scope to consolidate its technology, processes and teams to create efficiency savings.37 31 Qq 20, 28–30, 51 32 Qq 17, 29; C&AG’s Report, para 2.5 33 Qq 28–29, 82 34 C&AG’s Report, paras 2.20–2.21 35 Q 78 36 Q 47 37 Q 80 14 Tackling Defra’s ageing digital services
Government Response Summary
The government agrees the recommendation is implemented, stating that Defra's digital investments are overseen by various committees and boards ensuring common standards and an integrated approach to transformation. It highlights that digital transformation is a core component of Defra's wider programme, actively identifying cross-cutting business activities for consistent delivery, and a refresh of architectural policies is underway for 2023.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented. The majority of Defra’s investment in new digital systems is overseen by Defra’s ExCo, Delivery Committee and Investment Committee. Smaller projects are part of a wider portfolio overseen by a cross Defra and arm’s length body prioritisation group. All that work is consistent with the digital approach approved by ExCo and is being developed as an integrated part of the overall Defra transformation. All digital projects in Defra and its biggest arm’s length bodies are governed by a single Portfolio Approval Board and a single Technical Design Authority. These ensure that projects meet common Defra standards on digital, data, technology, security, sustainability, and resilience. All digital delivery is carried out by the Digital Data and Technology Services (DDTS) function or by suppliers managed by DDTS. These groups ensure that Defra’s systems comply with CDDO and Defra data and architecture standards, guardrails. Defra’s Investment Committee, including the Chief Digital and Information Officer, provides oversight of all major investments to ensure projects and programmes meet the needs of Defra Group, not just project requirements. This ensures that Defra’s new digital systems are designed on a modern, composable architecture which will deliver common technology capabilities, platforms and components that maximise reusability. For example, they will make full use of modern cloud-based technologies, a common delivery platform and other design features which will allow the future reconfiguration of services. Digital transformation is a core component of Defra's wider transformation programme and currently identifying cross-cutting business activities that occur across the group. This will enable more consistent delivery models and processes, for areas such as delivering grants and licensing and permitting services. Defra has also started a full re-fresh of Defra Group Architectural Policies and Standards which will complete in 2023.