High Speed Two: A progress update
This report examines whether DfT
and HS2 Ltd have protected value for money so far in their stewardship of HS2.
Published:
24 Jan 2020
24 Jan 2020
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Managing major projects
Major public projects in the Government's current major projects portfolio are expected to cost over £450bn. 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:
- Framework to review programmes (Sep 2017)
- Delivering major projects in government: PAC briefing (Jan 2016)
- Welfare reform - lessons learned (May 2015)
- The DECA: Understanding challenges in delivering project objectives (Oct 2013)
- Assurance for major projects (May 2012)
- NAO Guide: Initiating successful projects (Dec 2011)
Managing infrastructure projects on nuclear-regulated sites
This report examines the Ministry of Defence’s management of its large and complex infrastructure projects at nuclear-regulated sites.
Published:
10 Jan 2020
10 Jan 2020
Framework to review programmes
Setting out questions we ask when reviewing programmes, this updated framework gives new examples of good practice and lessons learnt.
Published:
23 Apr 2019
23 Apr 2019
A memorandum on the Crossrail programme
This memorandum sets out background information about the Crossrail programme and the current position
Published:
28 Feb 2019
28 Feb 2019
Survival guide to challenging costs in major projects
This publication outlines some of the challenges in estimating and managing costs that we have observed in our work on major projects. It offers Accounting Officers and senior decision makers some ground rules and thoughts on factors to consider when challenging costs.
Published:
21 Jun 2018
21 Jun 2018
Ministry of Defence: The Equipment Plan 2017 to 2027
The affordability of the Ministry of Defence’s Equipment Plan.
Published:
31 Jan 2018
31 Jan 2018
Implementing the UK’s exit from the European Union: Infrastructure and Projects Authority
The National Audit Office has today published a briefing describing how the centre of government is overseeing and taking forward implementation of the UK’s exit from the European Union. The briefing focuses in particular on the Infrastructure and Projects Authority.
24 November 2017
Published:
24 Nov 2017
24 Nov 2017
Update on the Thameslink Programme
The programme to upgrade to the Thameslink routes through London has a realistic prospect of delivering value for money but there remains risks which the Department for Transport and Network Rail need to manage carefully.
Published:
23 Nov 2017
23 Nov 2017
The new generation electronic monitoring programme
The case for a huge expansion of electronic monitoring using GPS was unproven, but the Ministry of Justice pursued an overly ambitious and high risk strategy anyway. Ultimately it has not delivered.
Published:
12 Jul 2017
12 Jul 2017
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