1.6 In this guidance, a Major Project is defined as "a central Government funded project or programme that requires HM Treasury approval during its life, as set out in Delegated Authority letters". It is important to note that there are areas where HM Treasury authority can never be delegated and accordingly, it is assumed that projects which exhibit any of the following characteristics will also be classed as Major Projects:
• could create pressures leading to a breach in Departmental Expenditure Limits, administration costs limits, or Estimates provision;
• would entail contractual commitments to significant levels of spending in future years for which plans have not been set;
• ould set a potentially expensive precedent;
• are novel and contentious; or could cause significant repercussions for others;
• require primary legislation; or
• where Treasury consent is a statutory requirement.
1.7 Projects that fall above Cabinet Office limits for ICT, marketing and advertising spend, and consultancy spend, but are not otherwise outside department's delegated authority are not considered Major Projects.
1.8 It is assumed that all Major Projects defined in this way will enter the new Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP). However this may not be appropriate in all circumstances and the exact Major Project Portfolio for each department will be agreed by the Major Project Authority and the relevant HMT spending team, after discussion with the department.
1.9 This guidance covers both projects and programmes that meet the criteria above. However, from this point onwards this guidance will refer only to Major Projects for simplicity. In UK Government PRINCE2™ guidance, projects and programmes are defined as follows:
• Project: A temporary organization that is created for the purpose of delivering one or more business products, according to an agreed Business Case.
• Programme: A temporary flexible organization structure created to coordinate, direct and oversee the implementation of a set of related projects and activities in order to deliver outcomes and benefits related to the organization's strategic objectives. A programme is likely to have a life that spans several years.
1.10 The provisions set out below are mandatory for all Major Projects.
1.11 Departmental accountability for the delivery of Major Projects is unchanged.