2.19 Commercial experience has not been seen as essential for SROs. Without this knowledge, or the support of a team member with this knowledge, they are less likely to be able to decide upon the optimal procurement route, or put together and lead a team with the appropriate legal, financial and technical skills. It can be a particular problem at the outset of the project when a SRO without commercial experience might fail to engage and take advice from professionals with the required commercial skills. A 2009 OGC review found that only ten out of 18 SROs on major projects had substantial commercial experience. Similarly, the PAC's report on delivering successful IT-enabled business change18 found that over half of SROs on major IT-enabled programmes and projects were in their first SRO role, adding risk to the management of IT-enabled change.
2.20 The Home Office has taken steps to increase the commercial awareness of its SROs. In 2008, it launched a training course for SROs, which can lead to a qualification in programme and project sponsorship. This covers an appreciation of commercial issues and the need to seek commercial advice.
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18 Delivering successful IT-enabled business change, PAC (HC 113, 2006-7).