A third of major government projects due to be delivered in the next five years are at risk of being ‘unachievable’ unless action is taken, the National Audit Office (NAO) is warning.
In a progress report of the 149 projects in the Government Major Project Portfolio, the NAO said the impact of initiatives to improve the delivery and oversight of projects is unclear.
It also warned that the number of projects where successful delivery was in doubt had increased since 2012, with 37 out of 106 projects due to be delivered in the next five years being rated as red or amber-red.
The NAO highlighted several key recurring issues including a lack of clear data to measure performance, poor early planning, a lack of accountability and a lack of capacity to undertake a growing number of projects.
Amyas Morse, head of the NAO, said: ‘I acknowledge that a number of positive steps have been taken by the authority and client departments.
‘At the same time, I am concerned that a third of projects monitored by the authority are red or amber-red and the overall picture of progress on project performance is opaque. More effort is needed if the success rate of project delivery is to improve.’
