The CAM is a centralised collection of documentation for all of the tools and processes used in managing the contract.
Specific guidance on the CAM is provided in the Partnerships Victoria Contract Management Guide which states that:
• the CAM is developed hand-in-hand with the development of the contract
• a CAM is developed to assist the contract management function during the design and construction phase of the project.
A CAM was not developed during the construction phase, departing from Partnerships Victoria guidelines. Documented procedures to manage the construction phase of the Project Agreement were separately developed; however, these were not consolidated in the form of a CAM, as required by the guidelines.
A review of the CAM outline (as contained in the CMP) indicates that all components, as defined in the Partnerships Victoria Contract Management Guide, will be included.
The CMP was updated in April 2008 with the target dates for completion of some CAM components changed from March 2006 through to November 2006, to May 2008 and November 2008.
The relevant CAM components not due for completion until November 2008 (i.e., five months after the commencement of the operating phase) are listed below:
• issues management
• contract communications
• public and media communications
• contract change management
• contract management quality assurance
• risk management
• governance, probity and compliance policy
• contingency planning
• knowledge and information management
• records and document management.
These CAM components are critical to the effective management of the contract; and their completion after the commencement of the operating phase increases risks for the management of the contract.
As the CAM had not been completed at the time of this audit, it is not possible to conclude on the adequacy of the proposed arrangements for contract administration.
However, there is evidence that DHS has made significant efforts to finalise these arrangements prior to commencement of the operating phase.