The Department's oversight of the PFI portfolio.

2.51  Although the Department's Private Finance Unit keeps abreast of issues affecting the development and performance of the Department's PFI projects, there is no central risk register that summarises risks across the Department's PFI portfolio. Such a register would enable the Private Finance Unit to identify common risks and ensure that appropriate mitigations are in place. For example a risk register could identify common risks, such as difficulties with obtaining robust data about the service required, the risk of insufficient skills in the project team or problems with staff retention.

2.52  Other aspects of contract management were not implemented consistently across projects: we found that post-project evaluations had taken place on many, but not all projects. Post-project evaluations are commissioned by the project's Senior Responsible Owner and the Private Finance Unit provides input as the sector specialist. These reviews are important in understanding how issues have arisen and how risks can be managed more effectively in the future. In one case we examined, Field Electrical Power Supplies, a formal evaluation had not been undertaken. In other cases, such as the Defence Animal Centre, a formal evaluation of the project might have been more valuable if it had been undertaken earlier.