Public sector programme leaders gather to debate new procurement initiative

5 March 2008

Public sector programme leaders gather to debate new procurement initiative

Thirty of the UK’s top public sector programme leaders gathered in Westminster to debate the new initiative by Her Majesty’s Treasury (HMT) to form a Major Projects Review Group (MPRG) that will assist the most difficult procurements in central government.

Representatives from the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, the National Health Service and Crossrail were among those who joined the Office of Government Commerce (OGC) and the National Audit Office (NAO) at the special breakfast debate led by programme and project management (PPM) firm Moorhouse Consulting.

Paul Mansell , senior Director from Moorhouse Consulting, who chaired the session and gave a plenary speech, said: “Managing public sector programmes is becoming more complex (technically, financially and reputationally) with increasing expectations in terms of delivering improved outcomes and benefits.  Given the inevitable budget constraints, a growing demand from an ever-watchful media and general public hungry for major change and improvements, it is unsurprising that programme leaders and government review bodies are looking at ways of improving affordability, deliverability and value for money.

“Commensurate with all this, there is an increasing need to provide the right governance controls and delivery assurance mechanisms.   Our session posed the question, ‘What lessons can be drawn from the oversight roles of the OGC, NAO and HMT, particularly in light of the new establishment of the Major Projects Review Group, and how should programmes respond to the negative perception of their unwelcome intrusion?’”

Paul continued: “Our clients discussed the potential threats and benefits to their programmes, and highlighted the need to provide both ‘challenge and support’ as a key issue, through effective cross-fertilisation of sharing best practice, which against popular belief, often lies in the realm of Public Sector programme delivery.  The group also highlighted the need to better coordinate the plethora of audit and assurance mechanisms, both internal and external, to avoid unnecessary overlap and potential gaps.

"A number of actions were taken by the group to trial this new approach with some leading programmes, such as Crossrail.”

Managing director Dom Moorhouse said it was a privilege to hear representatives from the UK’s major change programmes talk so candidly on an important issue such as this.

Dom said: “Our clients were frank about the challenges of providing strategic providing assurance at a time of economic uncertainty and procurement transformation, and there was some great knowledge sharing around what might be the best way forward for different organisations, which was good to see.  Our attendees reported that the event had been extremely useful for networking and new ideas in this area.”

If you would like to talk to us call on the number below. Alternatively, click on the consultants email address, provide us with your details and we will call you back. We look forward to speaking to you. Contact: Email: Tel: Esther Harris estherharris@moorhouseconsulting.com +44 (0) 1225 446 313