a) Relations between the department and the supplier will have a crucial effect on the success of the project.
■ National Savings is maintaining a close relationship with SBS through their joint governance structure for the contract.
■ Both partners have a clear understanding of their roles and responsibilities, and a shared understanding of key terms and deadlines.
■ National Savings has liaised closely with the SBS contract management unit to ensure it is familiar with all the requirements of the main contract and how they should feed through to SBS's sub-contractors.
b) Contracts between departments and suppliers must be set out clearly.
■ Change procedures are included in the contract and National Savings and SBS have agreed a methodology to agreeing changes to be incorporated into the contract so that it remains an up to date document.