Source · Select Committees · Public Accounts Committee
Recommendation 23
23
Accepted
FCDO fails to centrally log lessons learned from major capital projects.
Recommendation
FCDO told us it had conducted lessons learned exercises for both the Washington and Ottawa projects and does so for all its major projects. However, FCDO does not currently record all its lessons in a single central log. FCDO told us that its portfolio management office had stopped recording lessons centrally to allow it to focus on other work but said it would restart soon.63 In the meantime, FCDO told us it has already introduced two reforms as a result of lessons learned from its Washington and Ottawa projects: • FCDO has brought in a design authority which is responsible for scrutinising the designs of all estate projects and which will authorise and sign them off as part of the project development process. 57 Q 69, C&AG’s report, para 3.5 58 C&AG’s report, paras 3.8-3.9 59 C&AG’s report, para 3.9 60 Q 71 61 C&AG’s report, para 3.9 62 Q 71 63 Qq 71, 73-74 15 • FCDO has established gateway reviews to take place at key points in the project development process, where it will invite external experts from bodies including the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA) to independently review project development.64 Workforce
Government Response Summary
FCDO will restart centrally collecting and analyzing lessons learned from its estate capital projects. Target implementation date: March 2026
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
5. PAC conclusion: Some FCDO high-profile estate projects have run significantly over time and budget. 5. PAC recommendation: FCDO should immediately restart centrally collecting and analyzing lessons learned from its estate capital projects, to ensure it has appropriate oversight of project risks and can manage delivery effectively. FCDO should update the Committee in its Treasury Minute response on its progress, including the impact of its new design authority and gateway review processes. 5.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: March 2026