Role of the senior responsible owner

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Details

The purpose of this guidance is to set out clearly in one document:

• requirements and supporting guidance for senior responsible owners of projects in the government major projects portfolio (GMPP)
• guidance for senior responsible owners of non-GMPP projects

The guidance describes the role of the senior responsible owner (SRO) and its relationship to other key leadership roles in project delivery: within the project, the project director or manager, and within the wider organisation, the accounting officer.

The guidance also sets out current requirements on the appointment of SROs and appointment letters, and provides additional information to help with the selection, support and development of SROs.

The Role of the SRO is published as part of the Project Delivery Functional Standard which sets the overall expectations for the direction and management of portfolios, programmes, and projects in government.

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Product Information

Delivery vehicle Appraisal, Definition, Delivery, Feasibility, Programme, Project

Practice Governance, Roles & Accountabilities

Sector Digital and data, Government Transformation and Service Delivery, Infrastructure and Construction, Military Capability

Product type Workbooks and guides

Updates

21 September 2025

Replaced with version 2.1 and published for consultation. Main changes include updates to reflect current government policy, such as evaluation requirements, and to remove references to the Infrastructure and Projects Authority.

23 May 2023

Replaced with version 2.0

18 July 2019

First published.