2.1 Decisions need to be made at critical stages in the development of a project and the management of the contract after it has been let. These decisions relate to important issues where there are alternative possible actions. For example, choices include whether to:
• use private finance or conventional procurement;
• adopt a solution to a service need which has been used previously or try an innovative solution which may have risks;
• go ahead with, or discontinue, a project that has been developed; and
• change the scope of a contract which is in operation or perhaps consider terminating the contract.
To act as an intelligent customer the public sector needs to make informed decisions where there are alternatives. Making the wrong choice can adversely affect value for money for many years into the future.