Delivering Carrier Strike
The Department has made good progress since we last reported on Carrier Strike, however it still has a lot to do to meet its targets at the end of 2020.
Published:
16 Mar 2017
16 Mar 2017
Managing major projects
Major public projects in the Government's current major projects portfolio are expected to cost £489bn. There are also many other projects across government. This huge investment of taxpayers' money needs to be spent well. Managing these projects also brings major challenges because they are so long, complex, technically difficult, and are often part of high profile and high-risk transformation of public services.
These projects can also compete with each other for resources, equipment and skills. This means government needs to make sure that the timing of different projects is coordinated - especially as competition for resources can increase costs. One project can depend on the outcomes of another, making coordination and management still harder.
To make sure that these projects are affordable and successful, government needs much stronger project management skills and it needs to make more accurate cost and time estimates. It also needs to improve its ability to identify and manage both risks and the impact of external events.
Key NAO publications: Delivering major projects in government: PAC briefing (Jan 2016); Welfare reform - lessons learned (May 2015); Forecasting in government to achieve value for money (Jan 2014); The DECA: Understanding challenges in delivering project objectives (Oct 2013); Assurance for major projects (May 2012); and NAO Guide: Initiating successful projects (Dec 2011)
Review of the Thames Tideway Tunnel
This report examines the evidence base supporting the decision to proceed with the Thames Tideway Tunnel, a tunnel running 25 kilometres from Acton to Abbey Mills, as well as progress achieved to date.
Published:
2 Mar 2017
2 Mar 2017
Modernising the Great Western railway
The cost of modernising the Great Western railway is estimated to be £5.58 billion, an increase of £2.1 billion since 2013, and there are delays to the electrification of the route of at least 18 to 36 months. The Department for Transport and Network Rail have begun to improve the management of the programme but they have more to do to protect value for money in the future.
Published:
9 Nov 2016
9 Nov 2016
Framework to review models
This framework provides a structured, flexible approach to reviewing models. It is intended to aid those commissioning or undertaking analysis of a model with the aim of determining whether the model is robust and reasonable.
Published:
18 Mar 2016
18 Mar 2016
Delivering major projects in government: a briefing for the Committee of Public Accounts
A third of major government projects due to deliver in the next five years are rated as in doubt or unachievable unless action is taken to improve delivery. Greater transparency on project performance is required.
Published:
6 Jan 2016
6 Jan 2016
Automatic enrolment to workplace pensions
The Department for Work and Pensions has successfully introduced automatic enrolment to workplace pensions for large and medium-sized employers. Significant risks remain.
Published:
4 Nov 2015
4 Nov 2015
Major Projects Report 2015 and the Equipment Plan 2015 to 2025
The MoD’s Equipment Plan appears more stable than last year and progress has been maintained, but the Department will need to remain vigilant with regard to future cost increases.
Published:
22 Oct 2015
22 Oct 2015
The art of spending public money wisely
An interactive summary of the NAO’s presentations at Civil Service Live events, 2015, on four pervasive issues blocking public service improvement.
Published:
7 Oct 2015
7 Oct 2015
Welfare reform – lessons learned
It is important that the DWP use the hard lessons it learned from implementing its recent programme of welfare reforms to improve how it manages change and anticipates risk.
Published:
29 May 2015
29 May 2015
Progress on the Sellafield site: an update
The NAO has today published an update for the Public Accounts Committee, detailing developments in the management of the Sellafield site, the UK’s largest and most hazardous nuclear site, and the extent to which progress has been made in decommissioning and cleaning it up.
Published:
4 Mar 2015
4 Mar 2015