Timing of transfer will depend upon the size and complexity of the PPP but typically, plans should be developed up to five years before the effective concession expiry date and aligned with public partner transition plans, business continuity plans and service provider short-fall plans. Hand-over packages should be prepared quarterly and include the condition of assets (e.g. so the public partner can undertake medium to long-term technical assessments on how the impact of obsolescence / legacy systems will be managed); an agreed methodology for transferring project / operational knowledge from the private partner to the government client, its nominees or preferred bidder; and the actual transfer and reinforcement of knowledge between the parties (undertaken quarterly). For the public partner, transition planning may include the development of personnel plans (comprising, for instance, of incentive schemes for attracting and retaining high calibre employees or transfer of new staff to a preferred bidder (if applicable)), clear role and responsibility definition, skills appraisals and training plans - depending on the seniority of positions that need to be filled. This process should commence at least six months in advance of hand-over.