§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence (1) what steps he has taken to rationalise the definition of in-service dates on individual projects to enhance comparability;
(2) what is his current definition for an in-service date in relation to the procurement of equipment;
§ Mr. AitkenAn equipment's in-service date is generally defined as the date by which the equipment, or a specified number of equipments will contribute to operational capability. The interpretation of this definition can vary because of the differing characteristics of equipment, and the ways in which they are used. My Department's current approval processes require that the basis for defining the in-service date should be explained at the start of procurement.
§ Mr. Menzies CampbellTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what procedures he has implemented to improve project management in the light of his Department's "Learning from Experience" report.
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§ Mr. AitkenA directorate was established as a centre of expertise for project management to pursue the recommendations of the learning from experience report and provide support and guidance to all project office staff. The training available to project managers has been improved; structured risk management has been introduced for all projects and a help desk has been set up to which project managers can refer queries. A regular project managers newsletter is produced to disseminate new initiatives and best practices derived from the lessons learned from other projects.