Government projects set for boost from data and AI, says new report

A new report by the Infrastructure and Projects Authority (IPA) highlights the transformative potential of data analytics and artificial intelligence (AI) for government projects. The report, titled “Data Analytics and AI in Government Project Delivery,” sets out a roadmap for harnessing these technologies to achieve better outcomes, modernise delivery processes, and empower stronger leadership.

Produced in collaboration with the Association for Project Management (APM), the Central Digital & Data Office (CDDO), the Major Projects Association (MPA), and the No.10 Data Science team, the report outlines the opportunities, challenges, and key success factors for leveraging project data and AI in government projects.

It also details the IPA’s next steps to unlock these benefits, including:

• Updating the Government Project Delivery Capability Framework and its associated accreditation scheme.
• Developing a standardised approach to project data through common standards and taxonomies.
• Building infrastructure for government project data and tools, enabling deeper insights, benchmarking, and performance predictions.
• Overseeing pilot schemes across government to foster innovation and experimentation.
• Continued collaboration with professional bodies, academia, and industry.

The report emphasises that achieving these ambitions requires a collective effort led by the IPA and the Projects Council, working alongside Heads of Profession across government, CDDO, the No.10 Data Science team, and professional bodies.

Professor Adam Boddison OBE, Chief Executive of APM, commented: “The potential for AI and data analytics to improve project outcomes is clear. We’re pleased to have worked with the IPA, the CCDO and the MPA on this report, which lays out a clear framework for creating conditions that will allow innovation to thrive across government projects, while also ensuring success can be shared across the projects community.

“We hope this report will be a useful resource, not only to those working on government projects, but for all project, programme and portfolio professionals who are considering introducing these new technologies into their workflows.”

The report is now available to download.

Additionally, the APM has published a range of resources on AI and data analytics in project management, including:

• Getting Started in Project Data
• Developing Project Data Analytics Skills
• A new series of case studies exploring current AI use within the project profession and roadmaps to adoption.