The Government of Alberta (GoA) employs approximately 35,000 people across the province. Until 2009, most procurement of goods was handled on behalf of the ministries, via the Province’s central agency, Service Alberta.
The Challenge
In January 2009, the GoA set out to implement a new initiative which would increase the contracting authority delegated to the ministry level. An important component of this initiative would be a new Accountability Framework, which would define procurement and contract management guidelines for the ministries.
In-depth training would be required to familiarize the GoA’s procurement and contract management staff with the new Accountability Framework and the implications of their increased level of responsibility. The development of the training program had a rigid deadline, to align with the roll-out and implementation of the framework. In addition, like all government organizations, public-sector budget pressures called for the most efficient development process possible.
The Procurement School Response
In response to the GoA’s need for in-depth training for procurement staff on the new Accountability Framework, The Procurement School worked closely with the GoA’s Procurement Services department to review the requirements in conjunction with their various procurement tools, templates, terms, and conditions. In order to realize the necessary cost efficiencies, The Procurement School was able to take existing course material from their other programs, and tailor it to meet the specific needs of the GoA. The material was then supplemented by customized case studies and exercises which focused on GoA procedures.
The result was a three-day intensive training course called “Procurement 201: Acquiring Goods through the Competitive Process”. The Procurement School not only designed and developed the curriculum, but continues to deliver and facilitate the training to date.
Proven Value
The collaborative approach that The Procurement School took to developing the curriculum with the GoA meant that they were able to effectively capture all of the key nuances of the new Accountability Framework, including government-specific policies, templates, and guidelines for the purchase of goods by ministries. In addition, incorporating real world case studies and examples that pertained to the GoA made the course material relevant and practical for GoA staff.
Meeting these needs and delivering this important training has empowered ministry staff to exercise their delegated authority under the Accountability Framework and purchase goods at a higher level than before – ultimately increasing efficiency in procuring goods.
In addition, The Procurement School proven approach to project management and collaboration with clients ensured that the program was developed on time and on budget – coinciding with the launch of the new initiative.
Forward Thinking
What if you could get the most out of your budget without sacrificing the quality of goods and services delivered to your organization?
What if you could clearly demonstrate return on investment for your training dollars?
We help organizations ensure their procurement professionals remain up to date on new developments and best practices.
The Procurement School offers customizable training based on the unique needs of the organization and the current procurement legal and business landscape. Value is delivered through courses, curriculum consulting, and ongoing communications such as our newsletter which now incorporates The Legal Edge.
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