Assessor Resource

PSPPCM023
Manage strategic contracts

Assessment tool

Version 1.0
Issue Date: April 2024


This unit describes the skills required to manage contracts for strategic purchases, to effectively minimise risks and achieve value for money to meet an organisation’s core objectives. It includes managing the establishment, performance and evaluation of strategic contracts.

This unit applies to those working in roles that involve the acquisition of strategic assets.

The skills and knowledge described in this unit must be applied within the legislative, regulatory and policy environment in which they are carried out. Organisational policies and procedures must be consulted and adhered to.

Those undertaking this unit would work independently seeking advice as required, performing complex tasks in a range of familiar and unfamiliar contexts.

No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to unit at the time of publication.

You may want to include more information here about the target group and the purpose of the assessments (eg formative, summative, recognition)



Evidence Required

List the assessment methods to be used and the context and resources required for assessment. Copy and paste the relevant sections from the evidence guide below and then re-write these in plain English.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Manage contract establishment

1.1 Discuss and agree upon requirements of contracts and strategic initiatives with all parties.

1.2 Assign responsibilities for establishing and carrying out procedures to achieve contract outcomes.

1.3 Establish and implement effective communication strategies and processes to assist ongoing communication between internal and external stakeholders and contractors.

1.4 Perform relationship management with all levels of personnel involved in procurement and contract management, within probity boundaries.

1.5 Establish strategic relationships within probity boundaries to improve procurement capability and performance.

1.6 Update risk management plans.

2. Manage contract performance

2.1 Monitor progress of contracts against set targets and performance measures to ensure success of procurement activities.

2.2 Take action to rectify performance where set targets, performance measures and probity requirements are not being met.

2.3 Provide advice and support to solve problems, make improvements and maintain progress.

2.4 Manage disputes promptly according to contractual conditions to achieve resolution and maintain contract performance and progress.

2.5 Seek and negotiate opportunities to continuously improve procurement outcomes with contractors.

2.6 Provide or gain approvals for contract variations that are negotiated and agreed between the parties.

2.7 Provide opportunities for stakeholders and contractors to have input into and receive feedback on progress during the performance of the contract.

2.8 Engage internal and external stakeholders as necessary throughout the life of the contract to maintain progress.

3. Manage contract evaluation

3.1 Evaluate contract performance relative to planned performance measures and in consultation with stakeholders and contractors.

3.2 Undertake dispute resolution where stakeholders and contractors do not agree.

3.3 Detail conclusions against agreed criteria to provide a complete picture of performance of contractors, organisation’s procurement processes and value for money.

3.4 Measure performance of strategic initiatives relative to planned outcomes in consultation with industry and other stakeholders.

3.5 Document lessons learnt from evaluations of contracts and strategic initiatives and use to continuously improve future procurement activities.

3.6 Advise contractors and stakeholders of evaluation outcomes.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

writing complex documents

managing teams of expert negotiators in functions identifying and resolving strategic contract management issues

identifying, assessing and implementing opportunities for performance improvement

manage strategic procurement contracts, contract management plans and sub-plans

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

Commonwealth, state or territory, and local government legislation, policies, practices and guidelines relating to managing strategic contracts, including environmental purchasing guidance.

organisational procurement policies, practices and approval processes

aspects of law of contract, trade practices law, and commercial law relating to managing strategic contracts

codes of conduct, codes of practice and standards of individual behaviour relating to management of contracts and relationships with contractors

government procurement environment

implications of particular contracting arrangements

whole-of-life considerations

cultural issues relating to contract management and industry development

relationship management at all personnel levels

environmental, sustainability and corporate social responsibility principles relevant to managing strategic contracts

This unit contains no specific industry-mandated assessment conditions. Guidance on suggested and recommended conditions and methods can be found in the Implementation Guide.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.


Submission Requirements

List each assessment task's title, type (eg project, observation/demonstration, essay, assingnment, checklist) and due date here

Assessment task 1: [title]      Due date:

(add new lines for each of the assessment tasks)


Assessment Tasks

Copy and paste from the following data to produce each assessment task. Write these in plain English and spell out how, when and where the task is to be carried out, under what conditions, and what resources are needed. Include guidelines about how well the candidate has to perform a task for it to be judged satisfactory.

ELEMENTS

PERFORMANCE CRITERIA

Elements describe the essential outcomes

Performance criteria describe the performance needed to demonstrate achievement of the element. Where bold italicised text is used, further information is detailed in the range of conditions section.

1. Manage contract establishment

1.1 Discuss and agree upon requirements of contracts and strategic initiatives with all parties.

1.2 Assign responsibilities for establishing and carrying out procedures to achieve contract outcomes.

1.3 Establish and implement effective communication strategies and processes to assist ongoing communication between internal and external stakeholders and contractors.

1.4 Perform relationship management with all levels of personnel involved in procurement and contract management, within probity boundaries.

1.5 Establish strategic relationships within probity boundaries to improve procurement capability and performance.

1.6 Update risk management plans.

2. Manage contract performance

2.1 Monitor progress of contracts against set targets and performance measures to ensure success of procurement activities.

2.2 Take action to rectify performance where set targets, performance measures and probity requirements are not being met.

2.3 Provide advice and support to solve problems, make improvements and maintain progress.

2.4 Manage disputes promptly according to contractual conditions to achieve resolution and maintain contract performance and progress.

2.5 Seek and negotiate opportunities to continuously improve procurement outcomes with contractors.

2.6 Provide or gain approvals for contract variations that are negotiated and agreed between the parties.

2.7 Provide opportunities for stakeholders and contractors to have input into and receive feedback on progress during the performance of the contract.

2.8 Engage internal and external stakeholders as necessary throughout the life of the contract to maintain progress.

3. Manage contract evaluation

3.1 Evaluate contract performance relative to planned performance measures and in consultation with stakeholders and contractors.

3.2 Undertake dispute resolution where stakeholders and contractors do not agree.

3.3 Detail conclusions against agreed criteria to provide a complete picture of performance of contractors, organisation’s procurement processes and value for money.

3.4 Measure performance of strategic initiatives relative to planned outcomes in consultation with industry and other stakeholders.

3.5 Document lessons learnt from evaluations of contracts and strategic initiatives and use to continuously improve future procurement activities.

3.6 Advise contractors and stakeholders of evaluation outcomes.

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the candidate must demonstrate evidence of performance of the following on at least one occasion.

writing complex documents

managing teams of expert negotiators in functions identifying and resolving strategic contract management issues

identifying, assessing and implementing opportunities for performance improvement

manage strategic procurement contracts, contract management plans and sub-plans

Evidence required to demonstrate competence must satisfy all of the requirements of the elements and performance criteria. If not otherwise specified the depth of knowledge demonstrated must be appropriate to the job context of the candidate.

Commonwealth, state or territory, and local government legislation, policies, practices and guidelines relating to managing strategic contracts, including environmental purchasing guidance.

organisational procurement policies, practices and approval processes

aspects of law of contract, trade practices law, and commercial law relating to managing strategic contracts

codes of conduct, codes of practice and standards of individual behaviour relating to management of contracts and relationships with contractors

government procurement environment

implications of particular contracting arrangements

whole-of-life considerations

cultural issues relating to contract management and industry development

relationship management at all personnel levels

environmental, sustainability and corporate social responsibility principles relevant to managing strategic contracts

This unit contains no specific industry-mandated assessment conditions. Guidance on suggested and recommended conditions and methods can be found in the Implementation Guide.

Assessors must satisfy the NVR/AQTF mandatory competency requirements for assessors.

Copy and paste from the following performance criteria to create an observation checklist for each task. When you have finished writing your assessment tool every one of these must have been addressed, preferably several times in a variety of contexts. To ensure this occurs download the assessment matrix for the unit; enter each assessment task as a column header and place check marks against each performance criteria that task addresses.

Observation Checklist

Tasks to be observed according to workplace/college/TAFE policy and procedures, relevant legislation and Codes of Practice Yes No Comments/feedback
Discuss and agree upon requirements of contracts and strategic initiatives with all parties. 
Assign responsibilities for establishing and carrying out procedures to achieve contract outcomes. 
Establish and implement effective communication strategies and processes to assist ongoing communication between internal and external stakeholders and contractors. 
Perform relationship management with all levels of personnel involved in procurement and contract management, within probity boundaries. 
Establish strategic relationships within probity boundaries to improve procurement capability and performance. 
Update risk management plans. 
Monitor progress of contracts against set targets and performance measures to ensure success of procurement activities. 
Take action to rectify performance where set targets, performance measures and probity requirements are not being met. 
Provide advice and support to solve problems, make improvements and maintain progress. 
Manage disputes promptly according to contractual conditions to achieve resolution and maintain contract performance and progress. 
Seek and negotiate opportunities to continuously improve procurement outcomes with contractors. 
Provide or gain approvals for contract variations that are negotiated and agreed between the parties. 
Provide opportunities for stakeholders and contractors to have input into and receive feedback on progress during the performance of the contract. 
Engage internal and external stakeholders as necessary throughout the life of the contract to maintain progress. 
Evaluate contract performance relative to planned performance measures and in consultation with stakeholders and contractors. 
Undertake dispute resolution where stakeholders and contractors do not agree. 
Detail conclusions against agreed criteria to provide a complete picture of performance of contractors, organisation’s procurement processes and value for money. 
Measure performance of strategic initiatives relative to planned outcomes in consultation with industry and other stakeholders. 
Document lessons learnt from evaluations of contracts and strategic initiatives and use to continuously improve future procurement activities. 
Advise contractors and stakeholders of evaluation outcomes. 
Discuss and agree upon requirements of contracts and strategic initiatives with all parties. 
Assign responsibilities for establishing and carrying out procedures to achieve contract outcomes. 
Establish and implement effective communication strategies and processes to assist ongoing communication between internal and external stakeholders and contractors. 
Perform relationship management with all levels of personnel involved in procurement and contract management, within probity boundaries. 
Establish strategic relationships within probity boundaries to improve procurement capability and performance. 
Update risk management plans. 
Monitor progress of contracts against set targets and performance measures to ensure success of procurement activities. 
Take action to rectify performance where set targets, performance measures and probity requirements are not being met. 
Provide advice and support to solve problems, make improvements and maintain progress. 
Manage disputes promptly according to contractual conditions to achieve resolution and maintain contract performance and progress. 
Seek and negotiate opportunities to continuously improve procurement outcomes with contractors. 
Provide or gain approvals for contract variations that are negotiated and agreed between the parties. 
Provide opportunities for stakeholders and contractors to have input into and receive feedback on progress during the performance of the contract. 
Engage internal and external stakeholders as necessary throughout the life of the contract to maintain progress. 
Evaluate contract performance relative to planned performance measures and in consultation with stakeholders and contractors. 
Undertake dispute resolution where stakeholders and contractors do not agree. 
Detail conclusions against agreed criteria to provide a complete picture of performance of contractors, organisation’s procurement processes and value for money. 
Measure performance of strategic initiatives relative to planned outcomes in consultation with industry and other stakeholders. 
Document lessons learnt from evaluations of contracts and strategic initiatives and use to continuously improve future procurement activities. 
Advise contractors and stakeholders of evaluation outcomes. 

Forms

Assessment Cover Sheet

PSPPCM023 - Manage strategic contracts
Assessment task 1: [title]

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I declare that the assessment tasks submitted for this unit are my own work.

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Result: Competent Not yet competent

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Assessment Record Sheet

PSPPCM023 - Manage strategic contracts

Student name:

Student ID:

Assessment task 1: [title] Result: Competent Not yet competent

(add lines for each task)

Feedback to student:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Overall assessment result: Competent Not yet competent

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Signature:

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