GovWire

This functional standard sets expectations for the direction and management of functions across government, including management of functional standards, in order to:

• drive high performance and achieve excellent outcomes for the citizen
• ensure consistent and improving collaborative practices and culture across government organisations

This functional standard is part of a suite of management standards that promotes consistent and coherent ways of working - see GOV.UK - Government Functional Standards.

This functional standard and its associated guidance provide a stable basis for improving the way functions are managed across government, with flexibility for each function on how the standard is met. If you are looking for direction and guidance about a specific type of functional work, such as project delivery or commercial, please use the relevant functional standard - see GOV.UK - Government Functional Standards.

GovS 001: government functions provides direction and guidance for:

• permanent secretaries, directors general and chief executive officers of arms length bodies, to ensure an environment exists within their organisations which promotes effective partnership working with functions
• senior leaders and board members within organisations
• senior leaders accountable for managing a function across government and within organisations
• the functional standards design authority, and owners and managers of individual functional standards
• those involved in developing, managing, delivering and promoting aspects of a functions work

If you are involved in creating or managing functional documentation, please help people to comply with functional standards by following the Guide to governance and management frameworks. The guide helps you provide more targeted, coherent and consistent information for anyone doing functional work, and simplify and reduce the volume of requirements and guidance that people are expected to follow.

If you manage a functional standard, please refer to the Handbook for standard managers.

For general guidance on functional standards, refer to the Guide to functional standards.

For more guidance on continuous improvement, refer to the Guide to continuous improvement against functional standards

If you have comments or feedback about this functional standard or its associated guidance, please email standards@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.