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Background

In October 2005, the Cabinet Secretary, Sir Gus O’Donnell announced to the Public Administration Select Committee that he would work with permanent secretary colleagues to develop Capability Reviews that would both assess how well equipped departments are to meet their delivery challenges and provide targeted support to make any improvements required.

Last updated - 30th March 2009

The programme is run for the Cabinet Secretary by the Capability Reviews Team in the Cabinet Office. The review programme targets underlying capability issues that impact on effective delivery, such as:

  • Do departments have the right strategic and leadership capabilities?
  • Do they know how well they are performing, and do they have the tools to fix their problems when they underachieve?
  • Do their people have the right skills to meet both current and future challenges?
  • Do they engage effectively with their key stakeholders, partners and the public?

The reviews are conducted using a model of capability developed by the Capability Reviews Team through consultation with senior leaders in the Civil Service and external experts.

The Capability Review programme is part of the wider reform of the civil service. The overarching aim is to achieve a Civil Service which is better at the delivery of the public service its citizens need.

All departments were reviewed by the end of 2007. Phase 2 of reviews started in 2008.



Phase 2 Timeline

Phase 2 new

* This was a baseline assessment due to the significant changes to the Department following machinery of government changes

Phase 1 Timeline

Phase 1 Timeline

An explanation of departmental acronyms