Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 15
15
Skills and leadership remain a persistent problem in delivering major projects.
Conclusion
Skills and leadership remain a persistent problem in delivering major projects. Our report on specialist skills in the civil service concluded that skills shortages were responsible for delays, inefficiencies and increased costs in government projects, with the lack of skills in the Home Office partly responsible for the 3-year delay to the Emergency Services Network programme.26 The IPA also stated that government has not got the right level of skills and experience to deliver some of its difficult and complex projects.27 The civil service struggles to attract and retain specialise staff, and the turnover of programme Senior Responsible Owners (SROs) has been an issue which has impacted performance.28 The IPA stated that this has improved slightly in recent years, with tenure in role moving from an average three years to over four and a half years, and it is currently examining whether competency-based pay mechanisms could be introduced to reward good SROs and encourage them to stay within their roles.29
Government Response
Acknowledged
HM Government
Acknowledged
5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: August 2021 5.2 The government recognises the importance of appropriate training and continual professional development for all people working on major projects. For clarity, the Major Project Leadership Academy (MPLA) is only one of the training programmes offered or endorsed by the IPA. It has been designed to meet the specific needs of SROs and project directors (PDs) of GMPP projects and programmes. Attendance for these professionals is mandatory. SROs and PDs on non-GMPP projects should instead attend the IPA Project Leadership Programme (PLP). PLP is being refreshed and will be relaunched in Spring 2021. MPLA will be refreshed and relaunched in 2022. Other project professionals are encouraged to attend an alternative course more suited to their role, of which a number are available. 5.3 The IPA also offers training to those who are not members of the project profession but are responsible for providing oversight, such as director generals and permanent secretaries, and a new programme for ministers is now being piloted. 5.4 The refreshed IPA Mandate, published in January 2021, outlines requirements that are incumbent upon departments in managing their project leadership personnel. This includes a requirement that all SROs to receive a letter confirming their appointment, the expected time commitment, tenure and necessary training. In addition, departments must appoint a designated Head of Function and Head of Profession and notify HM Treasury and the IPA if it is proposed that one person acts as SRO on more than one major programme. From 2021, the IPA CEO’s approval will be required for all SRO appointments to major projects in the GMPP and an SRO will not be permitted to leave their role for another post in government without their consent. 5.5 The IPA will write to the Committee within six months to update it on the progress made.