I have a comprehensive understanding of the multiple components of open space maintenance and how these fit together to deliver outcomes that improve the quality of greenspaces provided for public use. Specialist areas of expertise include input into a seamless ‘end-to-end’ process of contract:

I have worked closely with Local Authority Procurement Departments to develop  and renew greenspace maintenance contracts. A key area of expertise is development of technical specifications across all areas of the greenspace business that integrate with contract performance measures and quality assurance processes. Procurement support includes expertise and experience in both external and in house service delivery options:

• Existing contract review (asset - budget - cost - performance)
• Market analysis including rate & cost benchmarking
• In collaboration with industry partners determine the best contract solution to deliver the service delivery outcomes
• Procurement process (Tender, SLA)
• Supplier Requests (REOI, RFI, RFT)
• Tender documentation including Contract Schedules, Technical
• Specifications/SOPs & Performance Management Models
• Engineers estimate/financial modelling
• Resource modelling
• Plant & equipment procurement
• Tender evaluation models
• Supplier tender question response support
• Supplier Pre-Qualification
• Tender evaluation
• Tender negotiation & award
• Debrief unsuccessful Suppliers
• Contract mobilisation
• Contract systems implementation

A large part of providing successful consulting advice is fully understanding the activities being delivered. During my career I have developed a well-rounded knowledge of and experience in delivering the core turf and horticultural components of greenspace maintenance contracts. This includes sports turf management to international level, landscaping, garden maintenance, landscape design and plant broking.

Contract management is an active and dynamic process. Local Authorities have been historically guilty of tendering contracts and setting the contract documents aside until there is a dispute or performance-related issues. The success of any greenspace contract is in equal parts the contract, the contract management and the contract relationship. Increasingly there is a drive to simplify and streamline contract management without diluting the contract form or content. Contract Managers have increasing demands and are often a ‘thinly spread’ resource so development and implementation of systems and processes that create efficiencies and focus effort on managing the important drivers of successful contract outcomes is a key opportunity for all clients.

I have managed greenspace maintenance contracts including temporary role fill and understand:

• Work management
• Financial management
• Claim management
• Contract variations
• Contract reporting
• Contract auditing including systems
• Performance management & benchmarking
• Staff mentoring
• Cost benchmarking
• Finding efficiencies and savings
• Contract health reviews

With an increasing focus on understanding the value associated with contract spend and justifying the level of investment to deliver contract services, there is a demand for greater accountability to ensure the services procured are delivered ‘in full’ and ‘to the specified ‘quality standard’. Additionally, local authorities are under increasing pressure to ‘deliver more’ with the same budget or ‘deliver the same’ with less budget. I have expertise and experience in development of contract performance systems and auditing processes that:

• Link seamlessly with technical documentation
• Measure the right KPIs & have flexibility to change across the contract cycle
• Ensure contract outcomes are met
• Allow risk to be managed
• Identify and resolve poor performance in a timely manner

Contract performance reporting must be user friendly and support timely contract management decisions and improvement initiatives. Technology such as Power BI has been a game changer when linked to work management and auditing systems allowing customisation of information by stakeholder and exception-based reporting that can be interrogated and investigated at increasing levels of detail in response to the user’s information requirements. I work closely with industry partners to provide technology solutions to support efficient collection and reporting of service delivery and financial performance. My philosophy is that Local Authorities own and actively manage not only their asset data but also capture and take back ‘in house’ and fully understand the intellectual property (often held by Contractors) associated with maintaining these assets. This is an important tool to help inform maintenance, renewal and development decisions that maximise value and minimise wasteful spending.