Moving to the next level of project leadership across government

Today, (21 December), the Government has signed a new contract to deliver the Project Leadership Programme (PLP), as part of the plans to drive a step change in the delivery of government projects set out in the National Infrastructure Strategy.

Cranfield University School of Management, PA Consulting Group and The Project Academy (TPA), working together as a consortium, have been awarded the contract to update and refresh the training programme for project leaders. This supports the government’s aim to create a highly skilled cadre of government project leaders.

The Project Leadership Programme (PLP), first launched in 2015, is designed to provide project leaders with the technical capability and leadership skills needed to deliver complex and innovative government projects successfully.

It forms a central part of Government’s long term plan to put in place a more rigorous approach to training and accreditation for government project delivery professionals, from foundation skills through to mastery, under the new Government Projects Academy.

Over 900 senior leaders across over 30 departments have completed the previous programme successfully. The redesigned curriculum will equip current and future project professionals in government with the expert project leadership skills and understanding of modern, sustainable practices needed to deliver world class projects.

The relaunched course will welcome participants from Spring 2021.

The Minister for the Cabinet Office, Lord Agnew, said:

“Many of our projects and programmes are the most complex and innovative projects in the world. To deliver them we need the very best leaders. The refresh of the Project Leadership Programme is an example of this government’s determination to invest in building world class professional expertise and drive a step change in project delivery”

Nick Smallwood, Chief Executive of the Infrastructure and Projects Authority and Head of the Government Project Delivery Function, said:

“We know that having leaders with the right skills and experience is a fundamental factor in delivering successful project outcomes: the more complex the project, the more important this becomes. We want to invest in the future of our leaders and build world class delivery skills for the future.

“Our vision is to accelerate project delivery skills, and the Project Leadership Programme is a cornerstone of this vision. I look forward to continuing to work with Cranfield University on the programme.”

Mike Bourne, Professor at Cranfield University and Director of the Project Leadership Programme said:

“Project leadership skills are critical for implementing Government priorities and so we are delighted to be delivering the refreshed Project Leadership Programme. Over the last 5 years Cranfield University, together with PA Consulting and The Project Academy, have collaborated with Government to develop over 900 project leaders.

“Our team looks forward to continuing to build on this capability, with further cohorts of project leaders prepared to face the challenges of delivering Government’s most complex projects.”

Further information

• The current programme has been run by Cranfield University for 6 years. This programme will be refreshed early in the new year.