It is important that the Bank implements the recommendations in the C&AG’s Report to maximise potential benefits from the new RTGS. However, wider government has an opportunity to learn from the Bank’s successful implementation of this programme, and we therefore direct our own recommendations towards wider government as follows: a. recommendation Within three months DSIT should prepare a lessons-learned paper identifying how the Bank of England successfully overcame the challenges that we have previously reported on (and as set out in the State of digital government review) and what this means for government. This should specify planned actions and timing, and address the following areas: • ensuring digital leaders and non-executives with digital backgrounds are in the right governance roles on business-enabled digital change; • the importance of taking time to get the design right up front before embarking on the contract for actual delivery; • the importance of addressing problems with legacy systems before they become an unsustainable ‘burning platform’; • collaborative working between business operations, IT and supplier teams; and • ensuring skills transfer and creating internal expertise to maintain and enhance the technology continuously rather than in big once- in-a-generation projects. b. recommendation Drawing on the Bank’s experience, within six months, the Cabinet office should set out practical steps, and a timetable for action, on how it will improve the ability of senior business leaders in digital business management and transformation, and strengthen the role and influence of digital specialists. 5 c. recommendation Within six months NISTA should update its guidance and support materials to reflect the distinct challenges of digital programmes and the success factors that the RTGS modernisation demonstrated. d. recommendation Within six months the Digital Commercial Centre of Expertise and Government Commercial Agency should update guidance to the commercial function to ensure that time is taken before contracts are let to properly understand the business and technical complexity and requirements for digital programmes with full engagement from technical specialists so that delivery time can be realistically planned and costed. e. recommendation To provide sufficient expertise, capacity and focus in supporting digital transformation across government, DSIT should reinstate the Government Chief Digital Officer role immediately with the aim of recruiting a candidate with proven experience, skills and knowledge in digital business management and transformation within the next year. 6 1 Leadership and planning Introduction