Relatively short tenure of staff in key positions of responsibility

A key concern is the continuity of staff in positions of responsibility. Whilst the benefits of short tenure accrue mainly to staff (primarily appearance of career mobility, breadth of skill set), the dis-benefits would appear to accrue mainly to DE&S and the MoD, including:

•  lack of accountability for project performance over the long-term;

•  increased reporting / briefing burden (as new senior personnel within and outside the IPT are educated);

•  loss of context and knowledge; and

•  loss of working relationships.

Figure 8-2 shows an analysis of tenure in post104 for 30 team leaders of large projects being managed by DE&S alongside similar data obtained from 2003105. It is clear from this analysis that the tenure of project leaders has decreased significantly since 2003, from c.3 years on average to less than 2 years on average.

IPT leader average length of tenure

Note: * DE&S analysis based on initial data from a sample of 30 IPTs (20 post-MG, 10 pre-MG) 

Source: McKinsey, 'Exhibits for Final Report of Smart Acquisition Stocktake' (2003); DE&S interviews

Figure 8-2: IPT Leader tenure

The current rotation system for military personnel and civil servants creates a situation where mobility is prized / required. However, the constantly changing team and numerous hand-offs limit the potential for accountability and is widely cited as a key factor in hindering top-quality project delivery.

This problem has also been identified by the OGC106, who cited frequent rotation of staff (especially military) as significant issue as relationships with industry need to be built up over time on the basis of individual trust and performance.

Moreover, despite the indicative benefits of the Smart Acquisition principles, most centrally empowerment and accountability of IPTs for project delivery, the current trend appears to be dis-empowering team and cluster leaders.

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104  Self declared tenure in current role as at April 2009, some respondents may have had significant prior experience in the same team but in a different role.

105  Exhibits for Final Report of Smart Acquisition Stocktake (8 Aug 2003)

106  Procurement Capability Review Programme - MoD, OGC (Nov 2008)