General

Procurement and contracts are integral to successful project management. Planning for purchases and acquisitions, requests for proposal, vendor selection, contract administration, and contract closure are integral parts of the process. Learning from Case Studies and benchmarking against better practices, standards and excellence is vital to understand complexity of issues and successful strategies for procurement and contract management. It will also ensure improved responsiveness to key issues, promote supplier-client relationships through proactive management of risks and ultimately deliver higher level of focus on performance-based outcomes.

• However, a careful thorough review of the South Australian Auditor General Report for 2015 is required to understand the contracts and procurement issues that have arisen during the execution of the new Royal Adelaide Hospital project, ongoing risks mitigations and lessons learnt that can be applied to other large infrastructure projects.

• Assessment 1 aims to encourage a deeper understanding of the challenges faced in large complex projects – particularly with procurement methods that involve private-sector finance to deliver complex projects – which is a significant method of procurement because it can mobilise global financial and procurement capability to innovatively build public infrastructure and facilities to meet the needs of the growing population.

Instructions:

• Part C: 800 Words (maximum) – Summary of key findings and also identify best practices for procurement and contracts management (in particular PPP procurement) and explore roles of project and procurement managers in ensuring successful delivery.

• Part D: Copy of the Reflection Journal that summarises student’s ideas and thoughts and key aspects pertaining to Module 1 and Module 2 including any key aspects picked-up as a result of the review of the Essential and Highly Recommended Learning Resources and critical self-assessment of how some aspects may apply to student’s current or future roles. Reflection Journal is expected to have a nominal word limit of 800 words.

• Possible mitigation actions and how these relate to better practice guidelines published by State Procurement Board of South Australia;

• Areas for further vendor negotiations and management - to achieve successful contract completion.

In considering the above, please be mindful of, and reflect on, the findings and the lessons learnt from the case study and how they can be applied in your own personal development and professional career. Record these in your Reflection Journal and also highlight any specific instances where your strengths and limitations as a project manager or manager have been identified.