4.1 Identify (Step 1) and investigate (Step 2) legitimate variations from the baseline

The MISMA has been designed to support a commercial model suited to the needs of a specific application and profile. This profile will meet the needs of a range of projects but will not suit all. The key assumptions underpinning the baseline provisions are set out in the following table.

HOW TO USE THIS TABLE Contracting authorities should compare each of the baseline assumptions in the left hand column against their own project. If in any case they believe that the assumption is not, or may not be, applicable they should refer to the relevant part of Section 5 as shown in the right hand column.
A. Context
Relatively short term contract (typically 3-5 years).	Section 5.A
Stable supplier market with little prospect of significant Contractor financial stress over the contract term.	Section 5.B
Stable governmental organisational and/or policy environment.	Section 5.C
B. Business
Services are not critical to the successful delivery of a statutory duty.	Section 5.D
C. Project (Technical)
Contractual liabilities are "generic"; that is there is no single liability that is very project-specific and/or large).	Section 5.E
No, or very little, bespoke software development.	Section 5.F
Due diligence is straightforward (i.e. either simple or supported by comprehensive and reliable information and site access).	Section 5.G
Transformation delivery risk is relatively modest or where this risk is significant, subcontractors are not critical to its success.	Section 5.H
D. Project (Commercial)
Transformation milestone payments are modest and there is no significant scalability risk1.	Section 5.I

Note 1: This table identifies only the most likely and most significant of possible variations to the baseline contract.

Note 2: If a significant number of the above assumptions are identified as not relevant to the project under consideration, it may suggest that the MISMA is not the most appropriate basis for contracting.

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1 Scalability risk being the risk that where all transformation is not achieved and completed concurrently, tests to allow the commencement of the transformed services may not be a reliable indicator of the performance of the fully rolled-out service.