Box 2.1 Project Planning |
From initial discussions to final agreement, benchmarking may take a minimum of nine months. If it is followed by market testing, or if market testing alone is conducted, the process could take up to two years. Authorities need to employ project management disciplines from the outset and produce a project plan to cover the following considerations: |
• the reassessment of requirements, and possible changes to the specification; |
• the schedule - agree milestones; |
• defining respective roles - agreeing responsibility; |
• methodology - agree the approach to be employed; and |
• communications - make sure everyone is informed. |
2.1 Value testing provisions in contracts varies and it may not have clearly defined timescales. Whatever the contractual requirements, the Authority will need to start planning well in advance of the date by which any new service provision should commence.
2.2 The Authority may need assistance in finding suitable sources of data, providers of support or suppliers of services. Advice should be sought from departmental Private Finance Units or the Operational Taskforce.