The most notable aspects (positive and negative) of the research journey are summarised below:
- Prior to designing the pilot study protocol, findings of the initial review of literature and case studies were discussed with professional contacts from the Victorian State Government, each with extensive PPP experience. This yielded informal feedback and guidance on the issues identified for partnership, risk and performance management in PPPs;
- PPP case study information was sourced from mainly publicly-available internet sources. While this yielded appropriate descriptive material, it was frustrating to find little access to real PPP performance data for any of the cases, due to the blanket imposition of 'commercial-in-confidence' restrictions. This prevented any reliable quantitative performance data analysis;
- Another feature of the design process was the development of an online communication platform to direct potential interviewees to the research materials. It is believed this approach contributed to a high response rate (68%) for those who officially agreed to take part in the interview process. This is a result, given the calibre of the research sample; but does assume that all potential participants are sufficiently IT-competent; and
- An online web platform was initially considered for obtaining focus group opinion on the revised IMM (the second model iteration), but this method was abandoned due to technical design limitations and data confidentiality constraints associated with an expensive out-sourced web design and hosting process. It was then decided to conduct a focus group using individual email and paper-based communication. Cross-consultation opportunities between focus group members were lost due to the adoption of the latter approach. However, this proved to be no great loss, since the focus group process then more closely resembled Delphi technique (but without an iterative 'rounds' procedure).
Overall, the research journey was a positive, albeit intensive experience.