Transforming Project Delivery at UKAEA

Kerv Consult revolutionised project and programme delivery at the UK Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA), empowering employees to work more efficiently and effectively. We replaced rigid frameworks and bureaucratic assurance requirements with an outcomes-based approach, fostering informed decision-making. The new ‘Delivery Life Cycle’ approach was well-received by UKAEA employees, reducing process friction and fostering team collaboration.

UKAEA had previously adopted a more structured approach to project delivery, developing the Integrated Delivery Process (IDP) based on engineering projects. This integrated project management, technical management, change control, and risk management into a single life cycle, which was adapted for different project sizes and types. However, as projects became more complex and required greater government scrutiny, the IDP struggled to scale or adapt, leading to projects being exempted from the approach, ignoring it, or struggling through the process, often complaining about producing documentation that didn’t add value to delivery.

In contrast, the Delivery Life Cycle (DLC) promotes autonomy, empowers decision-making, and provides flexibility. It offers a simple framework using a common language and data points that can be adopted by every project, allowing experienced delivery professionals to build an assurance and approval plan tailored to the project or programme’s size, scale, complexity, and risk. The DLC defines the outcomes required at each stage yet enabling the project to decide how best to achieve them. Assurance checks are conducted by engaging with multiple stakeholders across the project to ensure these outcomes have been achieved, over prescriptively checking off documentation.

We also developed bespoke project register and reporting tools using PowerApps, SharePoint, and Power BI. For the first time, UKAEA can see a complete list of all the projects in the organisation and track their progress towards delivery and strategic goals.

A significant advantage of the DLC is its alignment with the HM Treasury Green Book and associated guides on developing business cases, as well as the Government Functional Standard 002: Project Delivery. UKAEA’s Finance Policy requires all projects, regardless of cost or funding source, to follow the Green Book. Therefore, developing a life cycle that adheres to this guidance was beneficial on multiple levels.

The DLC has been met with positive responses across all parts of the business. The most significant change is the sense of empowerment among employees. Instead of seeking reasons to avoid the DLC, teams are finding value in adopting it. They are able to see what they need to achieve at each stage and that they have the freedom to do so in a way that suits them best.

The Directors and Sponsors are given more empowerment. They can see how governance will support their decision-making, and that documentation production doesn’t need to hinder delivery. They have the freedom to move forward if they have sufficient confidence, but where risk and cost are more significant, they are encouraged to move more deliberately.

The introduction of the DLC has created a unified language across UKAEA. Regardless of their size or complexity, projects can now clearly articulate their status and progress within the DLC. This transparency will be accessible across the organisation, fostering a culture of openness and collaboration. Directors, who previously found it challenging to extract value from collected data, can now see how it can be reliable source of truth. This new reporting data will be used to foster accountability in delivery.

I am so grateful for the work done by Kerv Consult.

 

They have helped change perceptions and behaviours across the UKAEA. The products and tools they have delivered are providing the springboard for so much P3M transformation

Sarah Ridder,
Head of Portfolio Management office,
UKAEA

This case study is a testament to our collaborative journey with UKAEA in their ongoing journey. Our consultants were able to bring about an initial positive change in project and programme delivery. The introduction of the Delivery Life Cycle has been the first step forward in promoting efficiency and collaboration. We’re grateful for the opportunity to work with UKAEA and contribute to their future success. It’s a reminder of what we can achieve together, and we eagerly anticipate to future opportunities to make a difference.