DE&S Abbey Wood Headquaters

Getting it right first time

Delivering technology to the front line is a continuing challenge for Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S). They are now setting themselves even tougher goals with the new Programmes and Technology Group (PTG) to ‘get programmes and projects right – first time’. Codex went to the DE&S Abbey Wood Headquarters to discuss the challenges facing the new group.

The new Group brings together Future Business Group, Through Life Programme Management and the Project Rehabilitation Unit. PTG has been established to focus on the development of Programme, Project and Technology Management across MOD and, in particular, within DE&S.

The Group will comprise a Centre of Excellence for Programme, Project Management (PPM), which will operate under 2nd PUS’s governance and have a pan-MOD remit to provide PPM policy, process and guidance across all Top Level Budget Holders.

For the acquisition community, The Centre of Excellence will use the Acquisition Operating Framework (AOF) as its primary communication vehicle for setting out how MOD should manage projects and programmes better.

PTG will also include an Assistance and Assurance team which will support the Operating Centres in delivering improved programme performance. PTG will lead on DE&S Technology Management activity, including the conduct of Technology and Capability investigations and demonstrations, and will act as the primary interface with the science | innovation | technology organisation. PTG also hosts the UOR Programme Office and monitors the delivery of Urgent Operational Requirements (UORs) within DE&S.

The PTG, led by Major General Alan Macklin was formed to ‘get it right first time’. This determined statement of intent will underline all DE&S programme and project management efforts and will help ensure that opportunities arising from the MOD Research Programme will be rapidly pulled through and applied to deliver military capability.

Within PTG, the Technology Delivery Team (TDT) will take the lead on DE&S Technology Management activity including investigations and demonstrations into capability and act as the principal interface with the MOD’s science and technology research programme.

PTG Technology Delivery, Deputy Head Technology, John Hayers was with DE&S Future Business Group and explains that the expertise developed in their previous incarnation will be used to take forward the new organisation: “Our role may have evolved, but the main emphasis is the same – management of the science and technology demonstrator programme (part of the research programme) and technology management across MOD and within DE&S. Predominantly, our work is about reducing technology risk which is often quoted as one of the main reasons why projects fail. This is an important part of what we do.” He now leads three sections which provide technology management strategy, policy and guidance, as well as strategic formulation and portfolio management of the demonstrator programme within the science | innovation | technology organisation that manages MOD’s science and technology research.

Hayers explains that PTG will bring together technology delivery and establish core priorities in assistance and assurance: “This is both reactive and proactive. The emphasis has shifted from project rehabilitation towards going out and assisting when we are needed. We are getting engaged earlier in the process so that when there are hurdles we are there to give assistance and support.”

One of the most exciting current initiatives in MOD is Capability Visions (CVs) which were launched earlier thisyear. This identified five areas where new and emerging technology is sought to respond to evolving threats. The majority of the CV programmes are structured into two phases: an initial concept study and a subsequent demonstrator phase. For each programme, the study phase will be managed by Defence Technology and Innovation Centre (DTIC) supported by DE&S.

Hayers and his team will be involved in management of CV when it moves to PTG during the demonstrator phase. This will ensure that benefits will be realised via exploitation in the Equipment Programme. He will be appointing a CV Programme Transition Manager who will liaise with other stakeholders to explore opportunities within the programme and develop plans for taking them forward. “CVs present an extremely positive opportunity at a time of significant resource constraint and they have the support of the Chief of Defence Material, General Sir Kevin O’Donoghue through the R&D Board.”

Role of the Programmes and Technology Group (PTG)

  • Develop and own standards, policies and processes for project and programme management
  • Deliver the Programme and Project management (PPM) skills agenda
  • Provide project management monitoring, review and intervention services
  • Provide the primary DE&S S&T interface and influence the direction of the SIT programme
  • Manage high risk and cross cutting technology demonstrator activity that is feeding into the equipment programme
  • Provide the Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) Programme Office and ensure continued development of best practice in its delivery.

Technology Management

Technology Management is part of Project Management and Systems Engineering and focuses on understanding and managing technology risk including:

  • maturing technology
  • exploiting and integrating technology
  • identifying opportunities and threats in technology
  • planning for through life changes in technology.

Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S)

DE&S equips and supports the Armed Forces for current and future operations. It employs over 25,000 people at its Headquarters in Bristol and sites located across the UK and overseas.

DE&S acquires and supports throughlife, equipment and services ranging from ships, aircraft, vehicles and weapons, to information systems and satellite communications. As well as sustaining ongoing requirements including food, clothing, medical supplies and temporary accommodation, DE&S is also responsible for HM Naval Bases, the joint supply chain and British Forces Post Office (BFPO).

DE&S works closely with industry through partnering agreements and private finance initiatives in accordance with the Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) to seek and deliver effective solutions for defence.

DE&S is responsible for the through-life approach to equipment procurement and support, and the provision of an improved service to front line customers. They provide management of equipment from before it is brought into service until when it goes out of service.

Programmes are diverse, ranging from clothing and ammunition, to armoured vehicles, ships and aircraft. They manage the defence supply chain, information systems, and the naval bases.

The core output of DE&S is the delivery of through-life project management and support to operations on behalf of the sponsor and user, based on through-life management plans managed by project teams and directorates.

DE&S focuses on being an intelligent ‘decider’ to an industry provider, rather than providing services themselves.