Measuring whether the DIS delivers
105. In our first inquiry into the DIS, Lord Drayson
told us that he was "in a hurry to show in 2007 that this
has made a real difference to our defence capability and the strength
of our defence industry".[141]
We asked how the benefits and improvements expected to flow from
the DIS would be measured and what indicators the MoD would use
to check whether progress was being made. Lord Drayson considered
that:
asking the Armed Forces: "Can you see the
evidence of improvement?" ask the industry: "Do you
feel you are given a framework" (which is, I think, really
the Government's responsibility) "within which you can make
business decisions which allow you to fulfil the needs that the
Ministry of Defence has, more effectively?"…. Also,
I think, in terms of embedding the change, asking the military
and the civil servants within the Department who are responsible
for procurement: "Does it feel different to you? Has there
been the achievement of significant change in the way in which
things are done?"[142]
106. The MoD plans to assess whether the DIS is
delivering the expected benefits by asking the Armed Forces, the
defence industry and MoD staff whether they can see improvements
or a changes in the processes. We welcome such an approach
and look to the MoD to ensure that this is undertaken on a
regular basis and represents a representative cross-section of
different ranks, grades and company sizes. However, we also expect
the MoD to continue to measure its performance in procuring equipment
to cost, time and quality and to develop metrics to measure its
success in managing equipment on a through-life basis.
DIS checklist
107. We asked Lord Drayson whether there would be
a DIS checklist for 2007. He told us that the MoD was producing
the checklist for 2007 and this would be forwarded to us.[143]
We received the checklist on 29 January 2007. We note in particular
that the MoD expects to
- agree a route map to a Long
Term Collaboration Agreement between the MoD and key Industrial
Partners covering full submarine life-cycle by Summer 2007;
- achieve industrial restructuring for surface
ships which delivers potential cost improvements across the maritime
programme by Summer 2007;
- reach a firm decision on the viability, shape
and scope of the proposed LTPA [Long Term Partnering Arrangement
for the Fixed-wing aircraft sector] by the end of 2007 and be
positioned to place relevant supporting contracts as appropriate;
and
- publish R&D Business Models for Investment
by Autumn 2007.[144]
We plan to continue to monitor the progress in
implementing the DIS and whether the expected benefits are delivered,
and will use the MoD's checklist for 2007 as the basis for doing
this.
132 Q 3 Back
133
Ev 25 and RUSI Report, The Defence Industrial Strategy: An Analysis
of Industry Responses, 5 October 2006, Executive Summary, p 4 Back
134
Q 2 Back
135
RUSI Report, The Defence Industrial Strategy: An Analysis of Industry
Responses, 5 October 2006, Executive Summary, p 3 Back
136
Q 9 Back
137
Ev 23 Back
138
Ev 36 Back
139
Qq 66-67 Back
140
Ev 37 Back
141
HC (2005-06) 824, Q 289 Back
142
Q 11 Back
143
Q 4 Back
144
Ev 40-43 Back
