Why does programme assurance matter….and how on earth can you measure the value?
Let’s be honest—when you hear the term “programme assurance,” your first reaction might be to stifle a yawn. It sounds like yet another layer of governance, another set of checklists, and another group of people asking awkward questions, not to mention yet another expense. But here’s the thing: programme assurance isn’t just about ticking boxes—it’s about making sure your big, shiny programme delivers what it promised, on time, on budget, and without any nasty surprises.
What is programme assurance anyway?
In simple terms, programme assurance is about keeping an independent eye on large-scale programmes to ensure they stay on track. Think of it as having a wise and trusted friend in the room. It’s a bit like having a co-pilot who makes sure you don’t miss a turn, run out of fuel, or hit turbulence you didn’t see coming. It helps organisations identify risks early, make informed decisions, and ultimately, avoid costly mistakes.
Why bother with it?
You might be thinking, “We’ve got project managers and governance structures—do we really need this extra layer?” The short answer? Yes. Here’s why:
- Early Risk Detection: Without assurance, issues often surface too late when fixing them is expensive and painful. Assurance acts as an early warning system.
- Improved Decision-Making: When leaders have clear, independent insights, they can make better decisions instead of flying blind.
- Stakeholder Confidence: Assurance provides an extra layer of trust for senior executives, boards, and investors, showing that things are under control.
- Avoiding Costly Failures: Let’s not forget the countless high-profile programme failures that could have been prevented with better oversight. On average, large scale programmes miss their intended go live dates by 2 YEARS!! At a monthly resource run rate of a minimum of £200k per month that can soon add up to millions once spiralling technical SI, licencing and hosting costs are included.
How do you quantify its value?
One of the biggest challenges with programme assurance is proving its worth in tangible terms, especially to Executive Boards already facing what they may view as an incredibly expensive programme. Here’s how you can measure it:
- Cost Avoidance: How much money did the organisation save by catching issues early? If assurance helps avoid a £5m overrun, that’s a tangible return.
- Time Saved: If assurance reduces delays by identifying bottlenecks before they escalate, that’s value right there.
- Risk Reduction: Measuring the reduction of programme risks over time—fewer red flags mean the programme is in better shape.
- Stakeholder Confidence Surveys: Asking stakeholders if they feel more confident in programme delivery with assurance in place.
- Fewer Fire Drills: The number of “urgent” interventions or crisis meetings required can indicate how well assurance is working.
At its core, programme assurance is about adding value—not bureaucracy. It’s there to help, not hinder. When done right, it ensures that programmes stay on course, budgets don’t spiral out of control, and the organisation gets the outcomes it set out to achieve. So next time someone mentions programme assurance, instead of rolling your eyes, just remember: it’s your safety net, your course corrector, and ultimately, your best bet for success. Get in touch to hear more about Definia’s programme assurance services.
