Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 15
15
Acknowledged
Lack of common data standards complicates cost analysis, requiring cultural and process reforms.
Conclusion
The lack of common data standards across government further complicates benchmarking and granular cost analysis because it makes data more difficult to analyse and interpret.35 GFF told us that the introduction of new Enterprise Resource Planning systems and new data standards for back-office processes such as finance and human resources offer the potential for improved consistency.36 However, this will not necessarily address the costs of services provided by operational departments to citizens and businesses. Furthermore, technical solutions alone are insufficient–we heard that cultural and process reforms are also needed.37
Government Response Summary
The government states that consistency will be supported by the NOVA reference model, rollout of common ERP solutions, and a common chart of accounts.
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
2.4 Consistency will be supported by the NOVA reference mode (NOVA is the UK Government’s standardised, digital reference model that sets out leading‑practice processes and data standards for Finance, HR, Commercial and Grants functions to improve consistency, efficiency and interoperability across departments), rollout of common ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning) solutions under the Shared Services Strategy for government, and a common chart of accounts, enabling comparable capture and reporting of service costs.