Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 19
19
Accepted
FCDO's disparate and unintegrated IT systems hinder central collection and effective management of estate data.
Recommendation
Even if staff at posts start collecting estate data, FCDO faces a challenge collecting this data centrally so it can use it to manage its estate portfolio.50 FCDO uses a range of different IT systems to manage its estate. FCDO property data, for example, is stored on its Pyramid system, project data on its Pheonix system and finance data on a system named Hera.51 FCDO’s central IT systems have been developed separately and are not integrated with each other, or with systems at posts. FCDO also lacks the time series data necessary to support benchmarking or tracking of progress. FCDO told us that FCDO has been an organisation that holds data in individual spreadsheets, databases and paper files.52 This would imply that FCDO is using legacy IT systems which are more liable to cyber-attack. FCDO’s 2023–24 Annual Report and Accounts acknowledged risks around its data on the size and value of its estate and leases it holds, including problems collecting data from posts spread around the world.53
Government Response Summary
The government agrees that FCDO should ensure the collection of good quality estates data is embedded into the standard work of its overseas posts, implement its integrated data management system, and use the latest digital technology to monitor and manage its estate.
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4. PAC conclusion: FCDO does not have all the data it needs to manage its estate effectively. 4. PAC recommendation: Alongside its Treasury Minute response, FCDO should write to the Committee setting out the progress it has made: • ensuring that the collection of good quality estates data is embedded into the standard work of its overseas posts, including when it expects all its overseas posts to have a complete asset register that is updated regularly; • implementing its integrated data management system; and • to ensure that it is using the latest digital technology to monitor and manage its estate, including actions it is taking related to this. 4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Recommendation implemented