RHI-11 Response Accepted Self-assessed

Project Management Disciplines

Recommendation

Best practice project and risk management disciplines should be the default practice within the Northern Ireland Civil Service when developing novel and complex policies and managing their implementation. These disciplines can be widely applied and should not be confined only to major or capital projects. They can be tailored to the specific circumstances of an initiative and are especially important when implementing policies designed to change behaviour or to make incentive payments to individuals or businesses. If there is insufficient resource to implement adequate project management then projects should not proceed.

Published Evidence Summary
The following publicly available evidence relates to this recommendation:
According to the NIAO Second Progress Report (October 2024), the NICS Project Delivery Profession has been established, and the Gateway Review Process is now mandatory for projects exceeding £5 million. According to FD (DoF) 02/24, new Programme and Project Management Guidance was issued in March 2024, and project and risk management disciplines have been established as default practice through updated Dear Accounting Officer letters and Orange Book guidance.
How was this assessed?
Assessed by gemini-2.5-flash on 19 Mar 2026
Checked data held on this site (government responses, progress updates, independent evidence)
External sources searched: www.gov.uk, www.finance-ni.gov.uk, www.legislation.gov.uk, hansard.parliament.uk
This recommendation asks for cultural or behavioural change, which is difficult to verify objectively. The assessment is based on policy commitments, not measured outcomes.
Jurisdiction
Northern Ireland
Response
Accepted
Accepted Northern Ireland Executive
07 Oct 2021

[Note: The NI Executive responded to recommendations 8-18, 24, 26-28, 32b, 34-36 together as a group under the 'Professional Skills, Resourcing, Record Keeping and Raising Concerns' themes.] NI Executive Response (October 2021): These recommendations can be accepted in full. They have been addressed in work to date through: strengthening of policy and guidance relating to project delivery; work to establish the new NICS Project Delivery Profession; accredited practitioner-level training in the Management of Risk methodology, available via NICSHR Learning & Development; amendment to the Treasury Orange Book (Risk Management); the Review of Business Case and Expenditure Approval processes; agreement by the NICS Board on the principles and procedures for use of SIB. Further work is required to: Establish the NICS Project Delivery Profession; Ensure that all Departments have in place a P3O Office, as set out in DAO 02/20; Bring forward proposals for the implementation of Portfolio Management; Implement the IPA's 'Get to Green' refresh of Gateway and wider Assurance Reviews; reform behaviours and culture to ensure a greater focus on risk management; improve the way in which departments work with Invest NI and SIB, ensuring that that partnership dovetails with Gateway and existing guidance on the obligations of the SRO; improve the reporting of risks to Ministers; develop cross-departmental collaboration and coordination through the PfG outcomes-based approach and the promotion of collaborative behaviours; ensure senior ownership of governance arrangements with third parties.

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Progress Timeline
Official Report
15 Oct 2024

NIAO Second Progress Report (October 2024): Implemented. Project and risk management disciplines established as default practice via updated Dear Accounting Officer letters, Gateway process, and Orange Book guidance. Previous Implemented assessment maintained.

Published Evidence

Published assessments of implementation progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Check the source type badge to see whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.

Reasonable Progress
15 Oct 2024
NIAO Second Progress Report / DoF government_response

Project Delivery Profession established. Gateway Review Process mandatory for projects over £5m. New programme and project management guidance issued March 2024. But PAC found £3bn overspend on major capital projects.

View detailed findings

A Project Delivery Profession has been established within NICS. SRO, project management, and contract management networks set up. Gateway Review Process mandatory for projects over £5m. New Programme and Project Management Guidance issued (FD (DoF) 02/24, March 2024). However, the PAC's follow-up report on Major Capital Projects found a £3bn overspend and called the lack of positive change unacceptable.

DoF Project Delivery Profession / PAC Report View Source
Source
Report The Report of the Independent Public Inquiry into the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) Scheme 13 Mar 2020
Responsible Bodies
Northern Ireland Executive Primary
Recommendation age 6.0 yrs
Last formal update 525 days ago