An empirical study of assurance in the UK government major projects portfolio: from data to recommendations, to action or inaction

Purpose Effective and robust governance of major projects programmes in the public sector is crucial to accountability state transparency spending. The theoretical discourse on governance, context programmes, not fully mature, although now sufficiently well developed warrant an increased scholarly focus practice. This paper aims contribute empirical literature through a study assurance routines UK Government Major Projects Portfolio (GMPP). Design/methodology/approach A framework analysis approach evaluation subset GMPP database generates original insights into (1) framing review recommendations, (2) treatment data (3) subsequent tracking implementation actions arising from process. Findings reveals that “delivery confidence” included this improves during time they are assured GMPP. would suggest “enhanced” desirable exhibit high degrees complexity scale. Originality/value research findings wider conversations journal elsewhere project governance-as-practice government services.