1.8 Contract managers are there to make sure that the works and services that the Authority has procured are delivered. It is important that Authorities do not view contract management as a stand-alone activity that is detached from the procurement of the project. Signing the contract and the completion of the facilities are milestones and measures of success, but it is the provision of the services over the life of the contract that is central to the satisfaction of users. Key actions for the contract monitoring team are to enforce payment regimes, react to the results of customer surveys, look for continuous improvement in the service and carry out their obligations for performance monitoring. The planning and preparation for the operational phase should be undertaken throughout the procurement.