As noted earlier in the Report, DE&S is still a young organisation and there remains much to be done in implementing an ambitious programme of change. These changes are themselves taking place in an even more wide reaching transformation process across the rest of the Department. The Review team recognises the complexity and scale of what is in progress, but has stepped back from the myriad initiatives and programmes to reflect on the following:
1. Will changes underway create a genuine best-practice acquisition delivery organisation when compared to others undertaking similar tasks?
2. Do staff within the DE&S organisation believe changes underway will address shortcomings?
3. Do informed and relevant sources outside the DE&S organisation believe shortcomings can and will be addressed?
The Review team has addressed these questions through a combination of research and extensive discussions (including c.50 interviews with project delivery teams inside DE&S). Based on this assessment the Team has synthesised its concerns around five key themes:
• structural issues around the scope and management of DE&S;
• weak programme and project management skills;
• a lack of independence in conducting its business;
• an underweight financial function; and
• lack of accountability for project performance.
Each of these concerns will be considered in turn.