Emerging best practice

Plan

Resource: Give the right people the 1 right levers

Manage: handovers and interfaces

Continuity

Plan who should be involved and when, thinking ahead about risks and opportunities for each lifecycle stage.

•  Confirm the role of the commercial function and other experts at each stage.

•  Produce clear documentation outlining roles and responsibilities, such as a statement of ownership.

•  Blueprint resourcing strategy achieved.

•  Procedures that validate the delivery of contract management plans.

•  Establish a clear overarching commercial governance framework for the department with an appointed senior leader who is regularly challenged around commercial delivery effectiveness.

•  Ensure that those involved in contracting have adequate skills, knowledge and proven competency for their roles.

•  Make sure that people understand their role and have sufficient training and support.

•  Draw on commercial and other business expertise as required.

•  Give identified owners enough control and levers to carry out their role effectively.

•  Maintain clear documentation.

•  Manage handovers from procurement to operations; and then the interface between commercial and operations.

•  Monitor continuity and add retention incentives as required.

•  Establish transition protocols for when staff in senior positions leave.