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UK MOD – End Crypto Unit Replacement Programme

VEGA is providing a specialist Business and Programme Management team to ensure one of the UK Government's most sensitive procurements is successful.

The Challenge

The UK MOD End Cryptographic Unit (ECU) Replacement Programme is set to provide UK MOD with updated cryptographic capability, as the current equipment begins to go out of service. As with all specialist IT procurements, the programme requires approval from Ministers and HM Treasury. The programme team therefore required independent and expert advice to ensure the programme benefits were fully articulated, the investment decision fully supported, and the capability requirement properly defined.

How VEGA is helping

In 2008 VEGA was asked by the ECU RP Programme Manager to help develop strategic plans to support the delivery of the ECU Replacement Programme. These activities have so far included input to Investment Decision support, Business Management, Through Life Management and Planning, Stakeholder Engagement, Information Management and ITT Management. As such, VEGA has undertaken a number of roles helping develop and deliver some of the programme’s key products including:

• Through Life Management Strategy and Plans for all projects and programmes, in accordance with AOF guidance
• Business Case strategy with the scrutiny community
• Business Case in accordance with AOF guidance, including managing the production of the evidence required for Investment Approval Board (IAB) scrutiny and HM Treasury
• Maintenance programme plans, analysing risks for programme assurance and identifying clear milestones for achievable delivery
• Technology Readiness/Business Change Assessment for the customer
• Production and management of the ITT documentation, including the development of the “Form of Response” and “Data Item Descriptions” against which the bidders tendered
• Management of the IAB scrutiny, DE&S Assurance and OGC Gateway Review on behalf of the customer, including business process assurance
• Drafted, agreed and presented the ECU RP Main Gate Business Case up to HM Treasury
• Stakeholder Engagement and Communications Planning

Value being delivered

VEGA has completed all tasks so far on time, to cost and to the customer’s satisfaction.

As a result of VEGA’s involvement, the programme ITT was completed ahead of time, enabling its early release. This gave additional time for the production and assessment of tenders and assisted with configuration management.

The breadth of knowledge and experience provided by VEGA’s consultants, also enabled the programme to save on the time needed to engage the OGC and DE&S Assurance Subject Matter Experts, thereby helping the programme team to assess critical success factors as part of planning process.

VEGA helped the client monitor, control and secure resources (people and funding) to complete critical activities, as well as provided an enhanced level of analysis and scenario/business planning. This included knowledge transfer which the customer intends to use elsewhere.

Finally, VEGA’s experience of ICT Project Methodology enabled the client to identify changes to ways of working and maximise benefits.

Testimonial

“Given the significant challenge that has faced the ECU RP programme, the support that the VEGA team has given has been without doubt one of the reasons that we are now in a position to be able to proceed to DE&S and Main Gate submissions with a degree of confidence in a successful conclusion. Their proactive, positive and professional approach, despite the very challenging submissions dates imposed upon them, has been a credit to both them and the company.”

Contact VEGA for further information about our work in Defence