Uncertainty about the aims of the partnership, how it should be implemented and how the IT systems and services should be transferred to the partner delayed the procurement and contributed to the withdrawal of a number of potential bidders. Clear objectives understood by all those involved in the procurement would help minimise delay and encourage a positive response from potential bidders. (Paragraphs 2.4-2.11, 2.14-2.18)
The communication of clear objectives might have been helped by the appointment of a single responsible "owner" for the project. This is now recommended by the Cabinet Office in their report, "Review of Major IT Projects, Successful IT: Modernising Government in Action" published in May 2000. Two, and sometimes three, members of the Agency's management board supervised the Agency's procurement. (Paragraphs 2.25-2.36)