A lack of public sector governance staff capability or expertise (Hope 2012) can lead to tensions between public and private partners, and eventually to service delivery underperformance (as deficiencies in expertise may be exploited by the private partner). High quality public partner contract management skills are needed to ensure satisfactory VfM outcomes (Edwards et al 2004, p.63). However, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (2007, p.20) claims that appropriate corporate experience among government employees is in short supply. The capability constraint may arise at any stage in the PPP life-cycle, but clearly has the potential to become acute during the longer time span of the operational phase. Lack of staff, inadequate expertise or experience, poor staff development, frequent transfer of personnel and lack of appropriate succession planning can each critically affect effective operational management.