1. D31SQ Service Procurement and Provision
Tutorial 1

2. Topics
Aims
Assignment
Methodology
Further readings
Discussions

3. Aims Defining the problem Questions The Scope & Depth
Selecting the method
Philosophy
Qualitative research
Quantitative research
Making a plan
Image courtesy of Lowden & Associates

4. Defining the problem Questions Developing a Sourcing Strategy
Based on an organisation with which you are familiar, develop a sourcing strategy for a particular service or bundle of services.
The sourcing strategy considered should be different from their existing one.
A report to be presented to the Board of Directors that covers the following

5. Defining the problem
4 questions

6. Defining the problem Question 1
Examination of the client’s current situation (baseline position). (20%). This should cover
Existing service delivery levels if any,
Affected stakeholders,
Value for money,
The existing service plan,
Monitoring procedures,
Customer review processes, and
Any other information you consider relevant.

7. Defining the problem Question 2
Examination of the opportunities that might exist (target position). (25%). Issues such as
Synergy between services (overlaps),
Market testing,
Value for money, and
Opportunities for integration.

8. Defining the problem Question 3
Identify a possible sourcing strategy. (35%). This should include
A rationale of ‘fit’ between service characteristics and service relationships.
The desired level of substitution level, strategic impact and thus partnering relationship should be considered.

9. Defining the problem Question 3
Identify a possible sourcing strategy. (35%). This should also include
In the case of an in-house sourcing strategy, similar considerations should also be made regarding the nature of the service relationship.
The proposed sourcing strategy should be verified through whole life evaluation.

10. Defining the problem Question 4
Develop a suitable outline Service Level Agreement for the service under consideration. (20%)
This should be tailored to the specific requirements of the service identified.

11. Defining the problem Scope & Depth
The work should be based as far as possible on a real organisation and a real service or group of services.
The report should be based on real-life evidence and insights rather than information reproduced from the course notes.

12. Defining the problem Scope & Depth The service(s) considered
should only be facilities management service(s), and
should not include other services such as information technology services.

13. Defining the problem Scope & Depth
The organisation you consider does not have to be your own organisation.
It can be any organisation that you have sufficient information on.
In some cases it may be necessary to produce ‘guesstimates’ in the absence of firm information.

14. Defining the problem Scope & Depth
The organisation under consideration may include an organisation responsible for managing a historic building as a tourist or visitor attraction.

15. Defining the problem Scope & Depth
Try to consider the commercial perspective and the opportunities arising from improved services.
For example, if you were considering the operation of a historic building, consider
The affected stakeholders, and
The service levels that would be required.

16. Defining the problem Scope & Depth
In the absence of hard data (e.g. for commercial confidentiality reasons), informed guesstimates or assumptions may be acceptable, although such assumptions should be identified.

17. Making A Plan Scope & Depth
The work should be no more than 10,000 words in total.
Deadline: Friday, 10th December 2010 by 2.00pm

18. Selecting the method The philosophy of management research
Table courtesy of Mark Easterby-Smith

19. Selecting the method The philosophy of management research
Table courtesy of Mark Easterby-Smith

20. Selecting the method Qualitative research
Analysing transcripts (natural language data)
Content analysis
Grounded analysis
Discourse analysis
Narrative analysis
Conversation analysis
Argument analysis
Tools
Nvivo and Atlas-ti

21. Selecting the method Quantitative research
Sampling design - Credible sample
Representativeness; Response rate; Precision based on sample proportion and size.
Data sources
Surveys – postal questionnaires, structured interviews; Observation; Databases.
Process
Questionnaire design; Summarise data; Data analysis; Tools.

22. Discussion The structure of coursework report
Hierarchy of evaluative elements
7. Quality of argumentation
6. Evaluation of concepts
5. Synthesis of ideas and concepts
4. Analysis of data and evidence
3. Application of theories/ideas to practice
2. Comprehension of the problem addressed
1. Knowledge of the field

23. Further readings
OGC Contract re-competition > Risk Allocation Model
BSI
BS EN :2006 Facility management. Terms and definitions
BS EN :2006 Facility management. Guidance on how to prepare facility management agreements
BIFM Good practice guides
RICS Facilities management
Outsourcing Models: Aligning Sourcing Strategy to Business Objectives
The Outsourcing Process
Google: “sourcing models”