Elements and Performance Criteria
- Locate specialist external advisory services
- Identify skill gaps of current staff to determine the nature of the external expertise required to meet the business need
- Research information about the specialist services to determine if there are any specific industry or regulatory requirements that apply to the service
- Prioritise the services required by the business and document according to organisational procedures
- Determine the estimated cost of the services and identify the budget or funding source to purchase external expertise
- Select a specialist advisor or company
- Organise a quote or advertise for the provision of the specialist service according to organisational requirements
- Establish a process and criteria for shortlisting the potential contractors
- Select the most suitable applicant according to the established criteria and the business’ requirements and procedures
- Document the selection process and outcome following organisational procedures
- Ensure successful and unsuccessful applicants are advised of the outcome and provided with feedback if needed
- Negotiate services to be provided
- Review and clearly specify the terms and conditions of the quotation or contract
- Clarify and confirm what is required of the specialist advisor, including expectations of performance and outcomes
- Obtain and action legal advice on contract requirements, if necessary
- Formally sign off on the quotation or contract following organisational procedures
- Familiarise the specialist advisor with the business and its personnel as part of induction
- Monitor performance
- Check that milestones and deliverables are achieved according to the terms and conditions of the quotation or contract
- Discuss progress and review against agreed terms and conditions in line with organisational procedures
- Collaborate to raise any issues or concerns, and follow up and document according to organisational procedures
- Organise progress and final payments against milestones and key deliverables in a timely manner according to organisational procedures
- Evaluate effectiveness and suitability of the specialist advisor in achieving the objectives