The PSC modeling, in and of itself, offers only part of the solution for proper project evaluation. Risk assessment and project analysis demands a complex skill-set that involves long-term options appraisals, contract negotiations and embodies teams of advisors. The government must ensure that employees across the entire public sector possess procurement skills to deliver quality investment on time and in a way that secures value-for-money to the public. Doing so also makes the public sector a better client, which in turn propels competition and innovation among private interests in bidding for projects. To help bridge the public/private expertise gap in the UK, the central government established Partnerships UK, which combines private sector expertise with a strong public sector mission to improve the process of planning, negotiation and completion of P3s.
In Canada, a number of provincial governments are headed in the right direction. For example, British Columbia took a page from the UK chapter when it established B.C. Partnerships, which fully represents the interest of the public sector and reports to the Minister of Finance. This organization tries to bring together ministries, agencies and the private sector to develop P3 projects by offering specialized services in a host of areas - from identifying opportunities to advice on project leadership/management. While other provinces are taking similar steps, grouping or centralizing resources at the federal level, rather than provincial, likely presents a more time and cost-efficient way to deliver expertise and innovation, as well as develop financial instruments and tap into capital markets.