scope:

This guidance note provides information on the principles to be adopted for, and the roles and responsibilities associated with, Leading a Project. This guidance note is part of the P3M framework and relates to NR/L1/INI/P3M/100, NR/L2/INI/P3M/101 and NR/L3/INI/P3M/122. It applies to all projects and programmes that require Investment Authority, as defined within IR01, Investment Regulations, and;

a) enhance or renew the operational railway; and / or

b) are carried out in a high street environment, e.g. car park developments

NOTE 1: IR01, Investment Regulations, is available on Connect (IR01 is an internal document available to staff within Network Rail only):

http://connectdocs/NetworkRail/Documents/CorporateServices/Finance/FinancialControl/Investment%20Regulations.pdf

NOTE 2: See the following link for definitions of Projects, Programmes, and Portfolios in Network Rail.

http://oc.hiav.networkrail.co.uk/sites/GRIP/Core%20Documents/P3M%20Definitions.pdf

This information is available externally on request from P3M@networkrail.co.uk .

Purpose

This guidance note describes how Network Rail sponsors capital investment in the railway infrastructure across all lifecycle stages. It should be read in conjunction with NR/L3/INI/P3M/122.

This guidance note has been developed to mitigate the risk of investment being made or used inappropriately at any stage in the lifecycle. The aim is to protect tax payers or other party's capital investment which is being managed by Network Rail.

The purpose of this guidance note is to provide Sponsors with guidance on the process for sponsoring a project from initial concept to close out of the project. This is part of the Governance of Railway Investment Projects (GRIP) policy framework.

This guidance note provides the Sponsor with supporting information to enable them to deliver their overall accountability for leading the project as the guiding mind of the project throughout its lifecycle. It provides a national and consistent approach to sponsorship of projects. This consistency will benefit Clients, Funders, System Operators, Deliverers, Project and Development Managers and Stakeholders.

Network Rail is a public sector body and as such is required to comply with Managing Public Money Regulations.

There will be a separate Sponsors Handbook for Programmes which will include guidance on applying the Investment Decision Framework.