Performance
The primary performance measure for this output is the number of products and services published during the year. In 2006–07, four BPGs were published against a target of three. Our BPGs continue to be well-received by public sector agencies, other audit offices and professional organisations.
BPGs published in 2006–07
The four BPGs published in 2006–07 are described below.
Legal Services Arrangements in Australian Government Agencies (August 2006) Preparation of this BPG was prompted by our 2004–05 audit report on legal services arrangements, which identified the need to manage legal services more effectively in order to get the best value. This guide aims to help agencies adopt better practice in managing their legal service arrangements, including arrangements for planning and reviewing those services.
Implementation of Programme and Policy Initiatives (October 2006) The ANAO and the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet jointly prepared this BPG. It is intended for public sector chief executives and senior officers responsible for overseeing the implementation of an initiative(s). The focus is on overarching principles for effective implementation, drawing on the experience of a number of agencies, as well as lessons from overseas. The aim is to assist senior executives obtain assurance that appropriate approaches and methodologies are being followed.
Developing and Managing Contracts (February 2007) This BPG updates and replaces the guide we issued in 2001 and was produced in partnership with the Department of Finance and Administration. Recognising that contracts vary considerably in value, duration and complexity, the guide is intended to be a general reference document for senior managers, contract managers and stakeholders who are involved in the development and management of contracts in the public sector. The guide includes a discussion on developing a contract, commencing from the point where a decision is made on the engagement of a contractor as a result of a tender or other procurement process. The broader focus of this guide recognises that the foundations for the effective management of a contract are laid at the time the contract is being developed. The guide includes checklists, examples and proforma that can be used and tailored to meet specific control circumstances.
Administering Regulation (March 2007) This BPG provides a framework to assist Australian Government regulators in assessing the quality of their administrative practices and identifying improvement areas. Examples of how regulators are currently employing better regulatory practice are provided throughout the guide. In writing the guide, we recognised the wide variations in regulation and entities operating in different industries and sectors of the economy. Consequently, there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ model for administering regulation. The guide, therefore, focuses on better practice principles and characteristics that are relevant to the design and management of administrative operations for all regulators, irrespective of their size, organisational structure or regulatory objectives.
Figure 4 shows the number of BPGs produced compared with the previous five years.
Cost
BPGs cost $0.747 million in 2006–07 ($1.590 million in 2005–06). These figures are a reflection of total costs incurred by BPGs in the relevant year, including the proportion of costs incurred where work carries over from the previous year.