Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 15
15
Acknowledged
Nonetheless, we challenged the Department on its need to get better at stopping and improving...
Recommendation
Nonetheless, we challenged the Department on its need to get better at stopping and improving failing digital programmes.47 The Department stated it had recently paused its core networks programme to make changes to its design before going out to the market.48 They also paused specific software components of the Morpheus programme (itself a sub- component of the Land Environment Tactical Communications and Information Systems (LE TacCIS) programme) as they did not believe these were being delivered appropriately.49 However, they stated that while there have been problems with one component part of Morpheus, they would still deliver continuous capability upgrades through this programme, and the over-arching LE TacCIS programme, over time.50
Government Response Summary
The department already has key actions in place to improve its performance in delivering major digital programmes, including updating programme management policies, upskilling staff, and improving programme governance.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
4. PAC conclusion: The department is struggling to deliver its largest, most transformational digital programmes. 4a. PAC recommendation: In its update to us in six months, the department should also explain the actions it has taken to improve its performance in delivering major digital programmes. 4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: Summer 2023 4.2 The department already has key actions in place to improve its performance in delivering major digital programmes. The key steps are: • an update of the programme management policies and standards and to engage relevant programme staff to embed the practices; • continue to upskill staff via targeted recruitment, giving existing staff access to relevant education options; and, • improve programme governance by overhauling the governance structure for Government and Defence Digital Major Projects and implement changes to management information reporting to provide greater insight, coherence, and risk management, allowing issues and blockers to be surfaced early. 4.3 The early impact of these actions has contributed to the improvement in delivery of the Next Generation Communication Network programme, previously reported red and now reported amber following the Infrastructure and Projects Authority’s most recent assessment in February 2023.