who will control integration / interoperability between projects & how?
This is a good question, inadvertently (it seems) answered by Bernard Gray in his Radio 4 interview of 27.12.11 (“Buying Defence”). He cited a long-mandated policy but clearly didn’t actually know it was mandated, or even existed, as he presented it as an original thought. Clearly, a lackey who didn't understand the policy, but only knew that it was responsible for successful programmes, simply scribbled it into a briefing.
When this was pointed out to MoD by an MP, they promptly denied Gray had even uttered the words. When the MP passed on an audio recording of the interview, MoD still denied it.
At the time, on another thread, I opined being caught in this lie would probably delay the GOCO announcement by some time, as MoD desperately struggled for alternative words that meant the same. It seems the delay was about 16 months.
The article in the Guardian is so light on facts and detail as to be worthless. There is far more in Gray’s 30 second interview from 27.12.11.
The Defence Standard that lays down the procedures for this policy was cancelled, without replacement, 3 years ago, yet remains mandated in ALL aircraft/aircraft equipment contracts. MoD no longer have a complete copy of it. Despite cancelling it, MoD didn’t think it wise to amend the contracts that call it up, perhaps because a flagship Army programme relies 100% upon it. Nor did they withdraw copies from those Contractors who use it as the Bible.
Finally, an old chestnut. The assumption that only servicemen can manage procurement is absolute nonsense. No one likes discussing the fact that many, in fact the majority, of projects are delivered to time, cost and performance. MoD’s main problem is their unwillingness to learn from these successes, instead only looking at the failures. And when they discover that failures could have been avoided by following mandated regulations (in the main, the above Def Stan and the underlying training necessary), they walk away, because that reveals where the true problem lies, and with whom. (And the list of names on the RUSI website doesn’t give you confidence they’d be in any way objective).
Always follow the lies because that is where the truth can be found. Ask why MoD would deny Gray said something, when it can be listened to and downloaded from the BBC website!! The mentality is that of a 2 year old, and getting rid of such people should be the first step.