Under Labour, the Cabinet Office reviewed departments’ capabilities – but these days, departments examine their own performance before producing Capability Action Plans. Ben Willis sets out their findings, warts and all

As the government prepares its civil service reform plans, CSW has carried out a major survey of civil servants – testing views both on how Whitehall is changing, and how it should change. Joshua Chambers reports.

The coalition promises more public contracts for small businesses – but we’ve heard this language before, without seeing much in the way of results. Becky Slack meets the man tasked with turning rhetoric into reality

The government is keen to give away public data in an effort to stimulate private business. But Ordnance Survey chief executive Vanessa Lawrence tells Joshua Chambers that it must also guard the golden egg-laying goose

Fast-falling budgets have prompted changes in Whitehall’s communications operations. New comms chief Jenny Grey tells Becky Slack that her colleagues must talk more across departmental and professional boundaries

Andrew Manley, chief executive of the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, looks after the MoD’s £23bn estate – and he’s pushing through one of the most ambitious reform programmes in government. Matt Ross meets him

The chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee has been impressed by the FCO’s work, and applauds many of the coalition’s foreign policies. But he tells Joshua Chambers that the cuts risk damaging our overseas capabilities

Getting the right metrics to drive effective markets is no easy task, but it’s key to payment by results. It can also be a dry topic – which may be why Joshua Chambers begins his investigation with Pacman and Jurassic Park.

A new report raises concerns over the Treasury’s handling of the financial crisis, and sets out ways in which it should be equipping itself to face the eurozone crisis. Colin Marrs explains and tests its key recommendations.

The aircraft carrier replacement programme has been dogged by indecision, delays and rising costs – and now a U-turn looms. Becky Slack examines one of Britain’s biggest and most dysfunctional public procurements.

As demand for traditional postal services declines, the Post Office is moving to occupy a new role assisting in the delivery of online public services. A week-long series of CSW seminars explored the implications for civil servants

Rigid structures and poor data limit the civil service’s ability to make use of its skills. But Stuart Watson learns that by mapping existing expertise, departments can set training priorities and move staff to where they’re needed

Funding has been cut for efforts to broaden student intakes. What now?

Under the latest pension reform proposals, civil servants will pay more and receive less; the government says this is its final offer, but the unions have not yet agreed to accept it. Becky Slack explains what’s on offer

Andy Nelson is a busy man. The Ministry of Justice’s chief information officer, he’s also now replaced Joe Harley as the government’s overall head of IT. Becky Slack meets him to learn about his plans for two rather hefty jobs

The last chair of the UK Statistics Authority was a fierce defender of the impartial and objective use of statistics. His replacement, Andrew Dilnot, tells Joshua Chambers how he intends to operate in this sensitive and important role.

DCMS permanent secretary Jonathan Stephens runs a small department with the job of helping people have fun. But Matt Ross learns that, these days, DCMS is focused on the serious business of earning money for UK plc

The number of ‘ministerial directions’ spiked in 2009-10, as accounting officers were asked to fund the economic stimulus in the run-up to an unpredictable election. Their numbers may rise again soon, finds Becky Slack

For years, departments have been free to purchase training as they see fit – but from 1 April, they’ll have to buy it through Civil Service Learning’s new ‘gateway’. Matt Ross examines a contentious and substantial reform

An inner-city school struggles to juggle the demands of disadvantaged pupils and national attainment targets

Communities and Local Government Committee chair Clive Betts has known Bob Kerslake for years, and doesn’t doubt his commitment to localism – but some departments are less enthusiastic, he tells Joshua Chambers

As head of the Northern Ireland Civil Service, Dr Malcolm McKibbin has a very challenging job. However, as he tells Joshua Chambers, the main challenge has evolved from ending the Troubles to stimulating business growth

A care manager says cuts can drive useful change – but uncertainty prevents it

The coalition is eager to digitise public services. But how can public organisations ascertain people’s identities when they’re meeting them down a fibre-optic cable? Becky Slack examines the challenges and the solutions