The SKI 02.22 IT-operation agreement has framed and, in many ways, simplified IT-sourcing within the public sector. Still, there are a number of pitfalls, you as a public buyer can fall into, if you have not used the agreement before.
Regardless of whether you are working with direct allocation or mini-tenders, there are a number of things you need to be aware of, when you jump into IT-sourcing in the public sector via SKI. In the webinar “are you a public buyer of IT-operation services?”, our consultants Eric Pedersen and Helle Roslev outline the IT-operation agreement and go over 4 key points for people who want to use it. You can read a summary or watch the whole webinar below.
- Do not underestimate your own role as customer
As a public buyer, you are the customer. But the role as customer is binding, if you are looking to get the most out of your agreement. Make sure to clarify what your needs are, before conversing with your supplier, for example in connection with market dialog. What do you need to source? And just as important:
What do you need to keep doing yourselves?
- Create a precise situation description and delivery description
The supplier only knows what you tell them. And it is your responsibility when working with mini tenders, to find the right supplier. As the buyer, it is important that you create a very precise situation description and delivery description, so the supplier knows exactly what they need to deliver. An overly simplistic description can end up costing both time and money, because the supplier could ultimately not deliver what you needed.
- Chart the changes
IT-sourcing will entirely or partly change your operation. To avoid any surprises, it is therefore a very good idea to create a map of your current operation and compare it to the upcoming operation, when the defined SKI-services have set sail. What will be added, what will be removed and what remains the same? And how do these elements affect one another? The cooperation with a new supplier based on the terms of the new contract, is also important to relate to as a customer. There will be new reports, new collaboration forums etc. that need to be mapped.
- Do not be afraid to use an advisor
It can get expensive both in terms of money, time and lost effect, if you choose the wrong supplier. Therefore, it can be a good idea to have an advisor handle the areas you and your colleagues do not have experience in. An advisor is familiar with the market as well as the requirements for documentation and demand layout, but also the pitfalls related to them. In this way you ensure, that the agreement you end up with, actually fits the needs you had from the beginning.
