9. Designated SROs are responsible for the Department's most significant business change and military capability programmes. They are formally appointed by PUS and are responsible to the Defence Board as their Sponsoring Group. The criteria used to determine which programmes are of strategic interest to the Board, and hence the focus of its attention, do not solely relate to the size of the investment. They might also relate to the significance of successful delivery to the Department (ie where failure would threaten strategic operational or business objectives or could potentially damage its reputation) and the extent to which coordination across TLB boundaries is required.
10. A Designated SRO is personally appointed by PUS:
(a) For all business change programmes in the Defence Change Portfolio (DCP). Responsibility for assessing which programmes should be included within the DCP rests with Hd of Centre RP for agreement by 2nd PUS.
(b) For the most significant capability programmes, as proposed by DCDS(Cap) and agreed by VCDS.
(c) For other programmes not included in (a) or (b) which are subject to additional external reporting, scrutiny and assurance by HM Treasury/OGC,7 or other programmes at the discretion of the Defence Board.
11. Designated SROs will in most cases be 2-star level or higher. For capability programmes, where the capability is large and/or politically sensitive but is less complex (for example programmes which predominantly impact on a single environment or Service) and is managed as a single delivery programme under Through Life Capability Management (TLCM), PUS may choose to appoint a 1-star SRO (the Programme Board Chair).
12. Proposals to change a Designated SRO should be submitted to Head of Cap CI (for Capability programmes) or Head of Centre RP (for business change programmes), who will seek PUS' approval and prepare an appropriate letter of appointment setting out the individual's responsibilities and reporting arrangements. The current list of Designated SROs can be found on the Defence Intranet in How Defence works-Who does what.
13. For other SROs, the general principle is that an SRO is appointed by the Sponsor. DCDS(Cap) is the Sponsor for capability delivery programmes: TLB Holders (or seniors within their business) are the Sponsor for business change programmes outside the DCP.
14. At whatever level an SRO role is undertaken, the individual should follow the guidance in this document and have roles, responsibilities and authorities consistent with this guidance included in their job description, terms of reference, directive or programme mandate as appropriate, and in their personal objectives.
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7 Additional reporting as part of OGC's Major Projects and Programmes (MPP) portfolio, additional scrutiny by HMT's Major Projects Review Group (MPRG); external assurance through OGC-led Gateway reviews.