The document discusses assurance in program and project management. It first notes that while the science of program/project management is well known, challenges still arise due to human factors. It then discusses how assurance is meant to guarantee successful optimization and delivery of business benefits from programs/projects, but definitions of assurance can vary. Finally, it proposes an approach to integrated assurance that includes appointing an integrated assurance lead and using rapid assessments across nine dimensions to provide ongoing support and advice to the program delivery team.

1. Atkins P3 Assurance
An integrated approach
Matt Burley & Hannah Maycock
March 2014

2. Overview
2
• Why things go wrong (and right)
• Reality and the problem of definition
• An approach to integrating assurance

3. Why Things Go Wrong (and Right)
3

4. Why Things Go Wrong (and Right)
There are lots of books on programme and project
management and the science is well known – so why is
there always a challenge?
People

5. Reality and the Problem of Definition
P3 Assurance activities should guarantee the successful
optimisation and delivery of business benefits released
through Programme and Project Investments
OED: [Assurance is] a positive declaration intended to give
confidence; a promise [or] confidence or certainty in one’s own
abilities
PMBOK: Assurance is the process of providing confidence to
stakeholders that projects, programmes and portfolios will achieve
their scope, time, cost and quality objectives and realise their
benefits

6. Reality and the Problem of Definition
Assurance activities should guarantee the successful
optimisation and delivery of business benefits released
through Programme and Project Investments

7. An approach to integrating assurance
7
Integrated
Assurance Lead
Programme
Sponsor / SRO
Communications and
Stakeholder
Engagement Mgr
Programme
Integration Mgr
Programme Delivery
Assurance Mgr
Business Change
Support Mgr
Support
Support QRA
Ongoing advice and support
to the delivery team via the
Programme Manager
interface
Business case and
benefits delivery Mgr
Programme
Director or
Manager

8. 8
An approach to integrating assurance
A Rapid Assessment across 9 dimensions