PACE - Performance, Agility, Confidence and Efficiency - was launched by DE&S in March 2008 to implement DACP changes effectively in DE&S. It is intended to transform DE&S post-merger into "a more effective organisation, capable of achieving its mission and making its contribution to the Defence acquisition agenda"165. The three core projects of Capability Delivery, Flexible Resourcing and Collocation are due to finish by Q1 2012. These are supplemented by two enduring workstrands of Leadership and How We Work.
The Capability Delivery project now aims to embed Phase 4 of TLCM into DE&S through grouping related projects (new and in-service) together into co-ordinated programmes, managing across all DLoDs. These will be overseen by Programme Boards with the intention of making better, more coherent and informed decisions.
Flexible Resourcing aims to introduce a system of assigning tasks to staff according to business priorities and provide greater opportunities for people to develop skills and experience. It was initially piloted in three areas and is now being rolled out across the whole of DE&S.
Collocation aims to bring together teams and offer improved working environment practices. DE&S operated from more than 60 bases in the UK. Following collocation initiatives, Abbey Wood will become the definitive centre for DE&S acquisition functions, with DE&S withdrawing from seven locations. Collocation aims to produce estimated savings of c.£560 million over 25 years.
The greater effectiveness of DE&S will enable the workforce to be reduced from c.27,000 in 2007-08 to c.20,000 by 2012.
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165 Blueprint: The Future Operating Model, DE&S (Jan 2008)