In context of this research, and apart from the use of electronic document management systems such as Affinitext (PF07) (e.g. used for cataloguing PPP documentation and related reference material), there is little evidence that integrated PPP contract management systems are being used in the public sector, both within Australia and internationally. Two notable exceptions to this finding are calendars of deliverables (PF12) (see 'Employee capability and expertise', above) and the use of a 'Performance Management Program' (PMP). This latter system has been developed between a private partner and one particular state government department to support regular assessment of hard services (i.e. infrastructure) to determine if the state has received what it is paying for (PF09).
The PMP (PF09), comprises the following components:
- KPIs (as defined under the concession deed);
- Business rules (provide the scope and definition for KPIs);
- Assessment methodology (derived from supporting project documentation and used as the basis of measuring KPI attainment); and
- Assessment criteria (for a pass or fail test).
The use of this system is endorsed by the operations and working committees that comprise a membership group representing both the public and private partners. It is regularly reviewed to ensure currency (PF09) and effectiveness.