Staff continuity is desirable but may be difficult to achieve
2.10 Ideally the project manager who procured the deal should also manage the contract. In some situations, however, staff continuity may be difficult to achieve. The experience of authority staff who have managed a PFI procurement is a valuable resource. They may, quite reasonably, be asked to put that experience to good effect by transferring to another public sector PFI procurement team. Or, they may find that their skills are marketable and seek employment outside the public sector7.
2.11 Our survey showed that 47 per cent of authorities transferred less than a quarter of the staff employed on the contract procurement team to the contract management team. Only 14 per cent of authorities transferred more than three quarters of staff with experience of the project (Figure 14).
2.12 A number of authorities and contractors said they had experienced problems because of the lack of staff continuity within contract management teams. Examples are shown in Figure 15. Because there is a risk that staff will leave the project after the procurement phase, authorities should develop plans for staff succession. Authorities will also similarly wish to see that contractors have succession planning in place so that the relationship is not hampered if their most important staff leave a project.
13 |
| Examples of significant training given by authorities |
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| PRIME 'We fund external training for contract management staff to pursue relevant qualifications. We also research other external and internal provisions of suitable training on a regular basis. All individual training is subject to a full review in accordance with Investors in People to ensure that it is appropriate and sufficient to meet the needs of the business and the individual.' Newcastle Estate 'Introductory contract management training is provided; also on the job guidelines and instructions from colleagues. There is a modular approach to development in areas such as negotiation, finance, IT with opportunities to work towards competence and professional qualifications.' Source: National Audit Office survey of authorities |
14 |
| Proportion of staff employed on the contract procurement team who transferred to the contract management team |
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| NOTE 105 authorities responded to this question. Source: National Audit Office survey of authorities |
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7 Authorities should have regard to the rules and related guidance for Departments and Agencies on the acceptance of outside appointments by Crown Servants.