Shared services programme: phase 1 programme closure report

1.0 Purpose of this review

This review aims to capture the experience and reflections of delivering Phase 1 of the Shared Services Programme. It seeks to record the outcomes and learning that can be derived from the successes and the challenges faced by the programme for the benefit of future transformations in the Scottish Government and similar projects across the public sector. It covers the programme’s objectives, delivery, post-implementation period and governance alongside costs, benefits realisation, value for money and future work.

The review has been prepared by the Senior Responsible Owner (SRO) and the programme team to draw upon their first-hand insights and reflections. This multi-year programme was one of the most significant corporate transformations undertaken in the Scottish Government and supports our shared services ambitions and wider public sector reform.

The information contained in the review has been shaped by the direct experiences of colleagues and also by internal and external oversight throughout the programme. This includes continued engagement with Audit Scotland and their commentary as part of their annual audits and dedicated report into the implementation of Oracle Cloud, eight external Gateway Reviews and nine external checkpoints and assessments against the Technology Assurance Framework (TAF). The feedback and experiences of the customer organisations also involved in the implementation of Oracle Cloud is reflected in this review.

This review responds to Audit Scotland’s recommendation to undertake a post‑implementation assessment and ensures that the learning from the programme can be used to strengthen future projects. While Audit Scotland highlighted the importance of such a review, the Programme team had already intended to complete a structured post‑implementation assessment as part of our standard approach to major programme delivery. The findings therefore reflect both our own commitment to continuous improvement and the external scrutiny provided through the audit process.