Documenting the Process

5.8 After completing the value testing exercise, it is important to document the process and capture the lessons learnt so that they can be applied when the exercise is next undertaken. With a 5 to 7 year gap between exercises, it is probable that different people will be responsible for managing the next process.

5.9 The following points should be captured in a lessons learnt document:

• the benchmarking or market testing process;

• the outcome;

• what worked well;

• problems encountered; and

• recommendations to improve the process.

5.10 The production of the lessons learnt document should be a joint exercise and the parties might consider amending the value testing provisions in the contract to reflect the lessons learnt. In order to ensure that public authorities benefit from the experience gained, departmental Private Finance Units should consider how best they intend to capture and disseminate the information gathered by contracting Authorities.

5.11 There are a number of interested parties with whom the processes and results of the value testing exercise should be shared, including:

• departmental Private Finance Units;

• other Authorities preparing to go through the same process; and

• the Operational Taskforce whose role includes the gathering and dissemination of data, information and best practice on operational issues, including information on value testing.