Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 19
19
Accepted
Defra's digital transformation vision and blueprint require further alignment and flexibility.
Conclusion
We also asked Defra how it would ensure that its approach did not result in the waste of taxpayers’ money. Defra explained that the majority of its transformation programme was focused on business process, how people used business processes, and the way that is governed. It assured us that it will not invest in building new digital systems that will have to be rebuilt to fit its new business model. Defra explained that its approach was to invest in common components that can provide the agility needed to support future development and whatever direction Defra decided to go in.40 It recognised, however, the NAO’s findings that there was further work to do to align the different perspective of policy, future business needs, and digital, data and technology to ensure a clear and consistent vision and blueprint for Defra’s transformation. It noted that it needed to undertake its digital work in a way that allowed it to be as flexible as possible in terms of how it worked across the Defra Group in future. It told us that this agility and flexibility would underpin its vision, but was not complete yet, and expected to have completed this within the year.41 38 Q 80; C&AG’s Report, paras 6, 2.25 39 Q 47 40 Qq 80–81 41 Q 82 Tackling Defra’s ageing digital services 15 3 Collaboration and standardisation across government
Government Response Summary
The government agrees the recommendation is implemented, stating that Defra's digital investments are overseen by various committees and boards to ensure common standards, composable architecture, 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, and a refresh of architectural policies is underway for 2023 to ensure flexibility and prevent waste.
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.