Adequate workforce

Tuesday, August 14th, 2012

‘Without an adequate workforce to manage and oversee the contracted projects, there is an increased risk of poor project outcomes and vulnerability to fraud, waste and abuse.’

This extract, from an audit report, could lead to an examination question. ‘Define an adequate workforce within the context of procurement and contracted projects.’

The word adequate could be interpreted as the number of resources available in procurement. To get this right requires a thorough work load analysis, including the capacity for research, strategic thinking time and for active stakeholder’s engagement. ‘Adequate’ could also be interpreted as  having the appropriate level of knowledge and skills. Who checks this?

The procurement activity doesn’t, for some senior positions, require any procurement  qualifications. Indeed, in some organisations, procurement qualifications are not seen as either strategic or academically demanding. Other critics assert that CIPS has not grappled with the issue of Continuous Professional Development as some professions have. ‘Adequate’ could also mean the ability to get things right – FIRST TIME! Poor project outcomes are legend around the world. We have just  read a report where a government department has extended a non-performing contract for five years and given the contract an unlimited further period.
That should keep the contractor on his toes. One reason for the non-performance was the buying organisation’s failure to adequately specify its requirements and to adequately provide for Key Performance Indicators. The vulnerability to fraud can be found easily in some organisations. Contract awards to family members, hospitality at Wimbledon (who went to the Olympics with a supplier?), overseas holiday, inaugurals (yes we do know what these are!).

Risk, Risk and more Risk needs managing. We have an answer with Procurisk® –
Please contact us on  +44 (0)1744 20698.