This impacts case study shows how our identification of lessons from past rail infrastructure programmes regarding aspects such as planning, monitoring and financing, has helped the Department for Transport apply these lessons, including in the HS2 programme.

It is one example of financial or non-financial benefits realised in 2014 as a result of our involvement, all of which are set out in our interactive PDF.

Impacts case study

In 2014, we published 24 lessons from past examinations of five major rail infrastructure programmes, intended to help departments who sponsor or invest in major infrastructure programmes. We identified lessons in: developing the business case; programme governance and skills; integrating different elements; planning and monitoring progress; funding and financing; and evaluating benefits.

What are impacts?

In response to our work, the Department for Transport is starting to apply some of these lessons. For example, the High Speed Two (HS2 rail) programme used our recommendation that the role of sponsor and delivery body are clearly separated. The department formalised these roles in the Development Agreement which it signed with HS2 Ltd in December 2014.

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