3.1 The MPA has introduced changes to strengthen the assurance framework for Major Projects in central Government. These changes are effective from April 1 2011. Implications for Departments are outlined below.
3.2 The Government Integrated Assurance Framework provides the structure for risk-based, proportionate and fit for purpose assurance provision for Major Projects. Two key components are the Integrated Assurance Strategy (IAS) and the Integrated Assurance and Approvals Plan (IAAP).
3.3 The IAS sets the strategic requirements for assurance provision to ensure agreed and consistent standards across an organisation's portfolio of Major Projects.
3.4 It is mandatory for all Major Projects to have an Integrated Assurance and Approval Plan (IAAP). Integrated assurance and approval is the planning, coordination and provision of assurance activities and HMT and departmental approval points throughout the lifecycle of a Major Project. Departments are required to submit a draft IAAP for each Major Project for validation by both the MPA and HMT. Please see more detail on IAAPs attached at Annex [A].
3.5 The MPA has updated its assurance toolkit. It is now split into 2 categories:
• Planned assurance, which will be included in the Major Project's IAAP; and
• Consequential assurance, which will only be applied to Major Projects in difficulty, as identified by the MPA, HMT or the department.
Table 3.A: Planned assurance tools
| Tool | Description |
| Risk Potential Assessment (RPA) form | Identifies level and nature of project risk and therefore degree of assurance required |
| Starting Gate Review | Explores deliverability of major new policy and/or business change initiatives prior to public commitment to a project |
| OGC Gateway Review | Series of assurance "gates" before key project milestones |
| Project Assessment Review (PAR) | Flexible assurance review that is tailored to stage of project |
Table 3.B: Consequential assurance tools
| Tool | Description |
| Assurance of Action Plans (AAP) | Provides assessment of whether the project's action plans are sufficient to resolve issues identified through planned assurance |
| Case Conference | Integrated planning for recovery of projects at risk or in difficulty |
| Project Assessment Review (PAR) | Tailored to "deep dive" into known issue areas and/or to support recovery plans |
| Applied Support | Provision of capability from the Centre in support of recovery |
| Managed Early Closure (MEC) | Supports controlled and timely termination of projects |
| Escalation | Timely engagement with higher levels of management and/or Ministers to resolve otherwise intractable problems |
3.6 All assurance activities will be tailored to individual Major Projects and will be resourced by civil servants wherever possible. Resource will be drawn from the MPA, departments and from specialists elsewhere such as Infrastructure UK and the Office of the Government CIO. Accredited external reviewers will only be used in exceptional circumstances.
3.7 It is now mandatory for every new policy or business change initiative which could result in a Major Project to go through a Starting Gate review. This must occur at an early stage of planning within the department, and before any public commitment is made.
3.8 It is assumed that all Major Projects 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. It is mandatory for all projects in the GMPP to report core performance data to the MPA on a quarterly basis. Reporting processes for the GMPP will be piloted before formal guidance on GMPP reporting is issued to all departments in April 2011.
3.9 The MPA may carry out additional reviews and/or consequential assurance for Major Projects that it and/or HMT believe to be a concern, at any time.
3.10 Departments may request support from the MPA at any time for Major Projects that are in difficulty. Allocation of MPA resources to assist Major Projects in difficulty will be prioritised based on level of need.
3.11 MPA assurance review reports, including OGC Gateway reports, will normally be shared with relevant partners in HMT and Cabinet Office, to inform HMT approvals and/or to inform consideration of actions or further assurance requirements.