Key features of SP are: a whole life approach by a single Integrated Project Team (IPT); clear definition of ‘customers’; trade-offs between performance, whole costs and time to be identified, evaluated and implemented; relationships with industry to be better and more open through partnering and common goal identification; new procurement approaches including incremental acquisition; shorter project approval and procurement processes; and higher investment during early project phases to reduce risk before binding performance, cost and time parameters are set.

Within the MoD the central relationship is between the ‘customer’ and the supplier. The ‘central customer’ is responsible for: defining the basic future capability requirement; for making the balance of investment decisions in and across capabilities; for obtaining project approval; for accepting the equipment into service; for developing specific equipment concepts to meet capability gaps; and for setting the IPT’s budget for the procurement phase of the project. As the equipment enters service the ‘second customer’, the appropriate Commander in Chief, takes over the ‘customer’ lead and agrees with the IPT leader the level of support required.

The above is a summary of the core of Mick’s talk which went into much greater detail of the component activities in the procurement process. If you would like to learn more please contact the Editor to whom Mick has loaned a DVD of his Powerpoint presentation which Members may borrow.