A matrix of knowledge and capability areas recommended for local authorities delivering net zero projects has been produced to support self-assessment of internal maturity level and highlight areas where additional upskilling or training may be required within a local authority.

Ensuring adequate in-house knowledge and capabilities in local authorities to deliver projects that support net zero is critical to their success and increases the level of investor confidence in these types of programmes.

This matrix will compliment local authority processes by:

Providing a visual summary of the maturity level of internal knowledge and capabilities related to local energy projects
Highlight areas where upskilling or training may be required to enhance these across relevant teams.
Indicate some high-level risks related to effective project delivery and provide evidence towards a business case for investing in internal upskilling and training.

In order to maximise the benefits from this matrix, it is recommended that it is primarily used at or before project initiation, in Stage 0: Strategic Definition Stage.
This matrix can be adapted by a local authority to add relevant internal capabilities, knowledge areas, or specify risks in relation to internal priorities.

Limitations of the matrix

The self-assessment of internal knowledge and capabilities provides a snapshot related to a particular project and may not take into account more granular themes of expertise within internal teams.

Only high-level risks associated with effective project delivery are currently included in the matrix, so this does not take into account internal resource and time frames.

Recommendations within the matrix are not yet specific to knowledge or capability areas, so local authorities are advised to refer to resources or contact the Energy Systems Catapult team for bespoke support.

Using the matrix

The matrix indicates a recommended level of maturity for each area, but this is provided as a guide to maximise the success and robustness of energy projects and is not intended to discourage local authorities from embarking on a project or continuing with existing delivery.

To self-asses internal maturity against each area, utilise the Maturity Criteria ranking to consider a realistic representation of where knowledge and capabilities lie across the relevant teams within your local authority. Type your score into the yellow column and the risk colour will change depending on recommended maturity level for that particular area.

Outputs from the matrix include a summary graph of current internal maturity level, a description of the risks associated with effective delivery, and recommendations for next steps. This is intended to be utilised by local authorities as part of a business case for investing in upskilling and training resources for relevant individuals and teams.

Knowledge and capabilities matrix

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Limitations of the matrix

Using the matrix

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