The fundamental principle of P3O assurance is its independence. Assurance services provide an objective and unbiased assessment of the health and viability of a programme or project. This independence is crucial to give senior management and stakeholders confidence that the information presented is a true reflection of the initiative's status. If the assurance function were integrated into the programme, its objectivity would be compromised, and it would become a support function rather than an oversight one.

B. Being integrated into the programme describes a support function, which compromises the objectivity required for an independent assurance review.

C. The delivery function is the subject of the assurance review; it cannot objectively assure its own work due to inherent conflicts of interest.

D. This describes a P3O support service. While assurance outcomes help Programme Managers, the primary function is independent oversight, not direct delivery support.

1. AXELOS. (2013). Portfolio

Programme and Project Offices (P3O). The Stationery Office.

Section 3.4.3

Assurance and Gating

p. 29: "Assurance provides an independent assessment of the health of a project or programme

checking that the project or programme is still aligned with the corporate strategy and that the business case is still valid."

Appendix A

Glossary

p. 157: "Assurance - ...In P3O

assurance is independent of the team that is managing the work." This explicitly confirms that the assurance function must be separate from the delivery team.

Figure 3.5

P3O Functional Areas

p. 26: This figure visually separates 'Standards and Assurance' from 'Delivery Support'

reinforcing the distinction between the independent oversight role and the integrated support role.