Reforming the DSIT business case process
This independent report by Lord David Willetts reviews the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology business case approvals process and proposes recommendations to render the process more efficient and streamlined.
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Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) has been working to drive a range of new initiatives in how it operates as part of a programme to make the department the most innovative in government. As part of this process, DSIT Secretary of State asked Lord David Willetts to lead an action group, with members from across Government, tasked with making recommendations for how DSIT can rapidly improve its approach to how it approves funding for R&D.
Our business case procedures are often perceived as long and cumbersome. The report explores how the DSIT business case and approvals process can be improved to take account of some of the unique properties of R&D spending, including the long-term, experimental and high-risk nature of those investments. The report considers options for improvement to ensure that we do not add disproportionate or unnecessary layers of bureaucracy and can therefore improve initiation speed of HMG interventions in science, innovation and technology.
Lord Willetts’ report sets out how DSIT and government can refine its business case approvals processes, to ensure they put us in the best position to deliver our objectives, while protecting and maximising value for money for the taxpayer.