Our Programmes
We want to thank all those who have already provided feedback on our proposals for a Third-Party Intermediaries Code of Practice, including those who attended the broker workshop on the 20th of June. We will formally submit the draft Code of Practice for incorporation into the Retail Energy Code shortly.
You can read the proposed approach to a draft Code of Practice in full here. Below is a summary of the proposal and our planned next steps.
What are we proposing?
We think a principle-based approach is the most appropriate way to introduce a Code of Practice (CoP), as it sets standards whilst allowing participants the flexibility that meets their business model.
Although there has been widespread support from both brokers and suppliers for the Code of Practice to be mandatory, we have also considered requests that it be introduced as early as October this year. While we believe this timetable is achievable for drafting and introducing the Code of Practice itself, this would not allow for the full development and implementation of an accompanying accreditation and assurance framework. We consider that such a framework is necessary for the mandatory status of the Code of Practice to be meaningful and provide confidence to stakeholders, including those parties who sign-up to the CoP.
We will therefore introduce the Code of Practice voluntarily in the first instance while continuing to work at pace on the assurance framework, which will be subject to further consultation, including the expected accreditation costs.
Our approach will:
Allow participants to prepare for a mandated CoP
Ensure that an accreditation scheme is established
Allow enough lead time for participants to seek accreditation
Allow us to establish a performance assurance regime that will underpin the CoP
Further details on the roadmap for developing the CoP will be set out as part of the initial change proposal at the end of June.
What principles will the Code of Practice include?
We have built upon the content of the draft Code of Practice developed by Ofgem in 2013, but not formally implemented, revising the principles where appropriate, including adding new principles around data protection. The Code of Practice now sets out principles covering:
Transparency and accuracy
Price and product
Fair and appropriate selling
Complaints handling/dispute resolution
Data protection
Training
You can read more about these principles’ purpose, key aspects and impact in the linked slides here.
We run essential programmes to improve our services and drive positive change in the retail energy market. This includes programmes to facilitate the move to a more intelligent energy system, simplify the metering codes of practice, reduce energy theft and improve energy switching.
However, the energy market is experiencing rapid change, so we must approach our programmes in an adaptive and agile manner. In this article, we talk about how we use epic prioritisation and the MoSCoW model of agile portfolio management to achieve our goals whilst responding to the market.
How do we break our goals and programmes down into achievable segments?
We use the process of ‘Epic Prioritisation’. RECCo’s overall strategic aims and goals are agreed annually and set out in Forward Work Plan (FWP). Following consultation with industry, this becomes the basis for our Programmes and workstreams. The RECCo Executive team takes these themes (our programmes or workstreams) and breaks them into ‘Epics’ i.e. a work breakdown structure to enable better project structuring and flexibility in scope. Associated epics are then grouped to form a project which is also supported by a business case to provide assurance for the project scope and value. These significant pieces of work are then executed to deliver the FWP. Importantly, the Executive team holds a prioritisation meeting quarterly where a review of all changes is discussed and prioritised using MoSCoW (see more below), and publicly shared in the codes road map to provide industry with a full view of potential change.
These ‘Epics’ then broken down into features – a deliverable that adds value and moves towards completing the Epic and ultimately the FWP. We then break the features down into ‘User Stories’ – short requirements or requests written from an end user’s perspective. A story describes a need that can be satisfied by introducing or changing a new feature. They can usually be resolved within a single sprint.
How do we prioritise our work in response to a changing market?
We use the MoSCoW model of agile portfolio management to ensure we review and prioritise all epics quarterly. This enables adaption and agility in our delivery. MoSCoW is an abbreviation:
Mo stands for ‘Must have’ – something that the service or product cannot do without and must be included to meet the goal
S stands for ‘Should have’ – something that should be included but are not that critical to meet the goal
C stands for ‘Could have’ – something that improve the experience but are not critical to deliver the goal
W stands for ‘Won’t have’ – something that is not currently in the REC vires or won’t deliver against the required goal
We ensure that deliverables under M and S are our priorities, which can change due to market flux.
Find out more about our work
You can learn more about our programmes here and follow our news page to receive the latest updates on how our work is progressing.
Calling all Electricity Enquiry Service (EES) users! RECCo is hosting an online webinar on the 6th of July 2023 between 2-3.30 pm where you can find out what changes are being made to the Electricity Enquiry Service as part of the Market-Wide Half Hourly Settlement programme.
Why should I join?
Changes to the Electricity Enquiry Service are required to support implementing the Market-Wide Half-Hourly Settlement (MHHS) programme. These changes will be made in 2025 as part of MHHS Go-Live and will impact all Electricity Enquiry Service Users.
Join this session to learn:
Why changes are required to the EES
What changes are being made to the EES
An overview of changes to the User Portal and API
How the changes will impact EES Reporting
The latest update on the EES MHHS Delivery Plan
How will the event run?
This online event will take place on the 6th of July between 2 pm and 3:30 pm. Once you register, you will receive a Microsoft Teams link that you can use to join the event on the day. Our Operations Consultants, Jonathan Hawkins and Jonny Moore, will host the event. There will be a chance to ask your questions at the end of the session.
Register now
Register for this event here.