Independent Assurance: Programme: Cladding Remediation Project Assessment Review (PAR)

1. Gateway Review Conclusion/ Stage Gate Assessment (SGA)

Stage Gate Assessment

Amber

Successful delivery appears feasible but significant issues already exist requiring management attention. These appear resolvable at this stage and, if addressed promptly, should not present a cost/schedule overrun.

The Review Team was pleased to see that real progress has been made and there has been a step change in the level of activity. A PMO is in place and programme artefacts are well developed and being used to manage and control the programme. We were impressed by the way in which the Critical Incident [Redacted] appears to have been handled. Much work still remains to be done and the programme will need to be in existence for some time before a stable 'business as usual' state can be achieved.

Agreement has been reached for a programme headcount of 55 with 30 currently in place. There are plans to make the programme part of a new Directorate with a Director and Deputy Director to be appointed. [Redacted].

The Review Team understands that the ET is taking a strong and active interest in the programme. This is aiding progress and a continuing and active ET interest will be needed to ensure progress and risk mitigation.

The programme team and all involved are to be congratulated for the way in which the Critical Incident was handled and their desire to learn from the experience in the knowledge that there will be more such incidents as the programme unfolds.

With such a politically sensitive programme which is very much in the public eye, a sharp focus will need to be maintained to avoid scope creep and strong leadership with a clear mission and good delivery plans will be an essential pre-requisite to success.

The Stage Gate Assessment RAG status should use the definitions below.

RAG Criteria Description

1) Green: Successful delivery of the project to time, cost and quality appears highly likely and there are no major outstanding issues that at this stage appear to threaten delivery.

Recommendation: The programme/project is ready to proceed to the next stage.

2) Amber/Green: Successful delivery appears probable. However, constant attention will be needed to ensure risks do not materialise into major issues threatening delivery.

Recommendation: The programme/project is ready to proceed to the next stage.

3) Amber: Successful delivery appears feasible but significant issues already exist requiring management attention. These appear resolvable at this stage and, if addressed promptly, should not present a cost/schedule overrun.

Recommendation: This programme/project can proceed to the next stage with conditions but the programme/project must report back to the PPPA on the satisfaction of each time bound condition within an agreed timeframe.

4) Amber/Red: Successful delivery of the project is in doubt with major risks or issues apparent in a number of key areas. Urgent action is needed to ensure these are addressed and establish whether resolution is feasible.

Recommendation: This programme/project should not proceed to the next phase until these major risks or issues are managed to an acceptable level of risk and the viability of the project/programme has been re-confirmed.

5) Red: Successful delivery of the project appears to be unachievable. There are major issues which, at this stage, do not appear to be manageable or resolvable. The project may need re-base lining and/or overall viability re-assessed.

Recommendation: This programme/project should not proceed to the next phase until these major issues are managed to an acceptable level of risk and the viability of the project/programme has been re-confirmed.