Case study

Lesson from transport for the sponsorship of major projects

Author(s): Department for Transport and Infrastructure and Projects Authority

Status: Approved

Formats: PDF

Published: 01 April 2019

Lessons learnt from transport to improve the delivery of major projects.

This report identifies 24 lessons to increase confidence that future transport, infrastructure and wider government projects are delivered with confidence, predictability and control. It follows a review conducted in response to issues encountered in major projects sponsored by DfT

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Details

Controlled delivery of the Government’s major projects is fundamental to realising their intended benefits, allowing investment decisions to be taken confidently, and new capabilities to be brought into service in a way that protects current users.

This report identifies lessons and good practice for the sponsorship of major projects from the significant issues experienced with the Northern and Thameslink projects and with Crossrail. These projects experienced issues which meant they were not delivered to their intended plans or in a way that avoided detriment to current and future passengers. This despite extensive governance, reporting and assurance arrangements across the supply chain, delivery organisations, and sponsors. Though they have now delivered benefits, there are crucial positive and negative lessons that can be learned for future projects.

The lessons are most useful to those working on infrastructure projects delivered through arm’s length bodies sponsored by central government departments, but can also inform wider government projects including defence systems and major ICT projects.

The report has three parts:

Section 1 sets out the context for major project delivery in government and identifies five themes that encompass the lessons identified. These themes are:
- Accountability must be unambiguous
- Behaviour matters more than process
- Control schedule and benefits as well as cost
- Deal with systems integration risk
- Enter service cautiously
Section 2 contains a schematic of the 24 lessons identified, structured by project lifecycle stage, governance pillar, and by the five themes. Each lesson is accompanied by a more detailed explanation.
The Appendices, including a brief description of the case study projects.

The IPA is embedding these insights into its guidance and assurance work across other government departments.