14
Accepted
Government’s central digital functions are relatively immature.
Conclusion
Government’s central digital functions are relatively immature. Government only created the Central Digital and Data Office this year and set up the other central functions within the last decade. The Cabinet Office told us that they have started to strengthen central oversight of digital programmes, but we do not yet see a similar degree of oversight and control as established institutions such as HM Treasury exercise over the way departments manage their finances.36 Government operations are broad and complex, and departments are responsible for their own digital programmes, operating in a federated manner. This presents a significant challenge to putting in place common approaches.37
Government Response Summary
The government accepted the implicit recommendation to strengthen central digital oversight, committing the CDDO to work with departments to improve large-scale programme management and monitor the cross-government legacy estate by the end of 2022.
Government Response
Accepted
Government Response
Accepted
HM Government
Accepted
4.1 The government agrees with the Committee’s recommendation. Target implementation date: end of December 2022 4.2 CDDO will work with departments to improve the management of large-scale programmes involving transition from legacy systems to new digital solutions. This will focus on legacy integration and the transition phase. CDDO will monitor the cross-government legacy estate using the legacy framework, using insights from the framework to inform better decision making, whilst also producing guidance for departments on how to manage integrations and transitions away from legacy effectively, drawing on best practice from government and from industry. Programmes will also be evaluated on their adherence to the legacy framework and wider standards as part of the Cabinet Office spend controls process. Many departments have already implemented single programme offices for digital programmes, who Cabinet Office work closely with, such as the Technology Sourcing Programme in HM Revenue & Customs, or the Prison Technology Transformation Programme in the Ministry of Justice.
Source
Committee
Public Accounts Committee
Report
Thirtieth Report - Challenges in implementing digital change
10 Dec 2021
HC 637
Addressee Bodies
HM Treasury
Timeline
Recommendation age
4.6 yrs
Report published
10 Dec 2021