View

Public Sector Contracts Signed, Sealed, and... Forgotten?

Date
Category
Share

You’d be surprised to learn that while the public sector is becoming fairly competent at tendering for contracts, there’s one tiny problem: they seem to forget all about them once they’re signed. It’s the ultimate "out of sight, out of mind" situation. Take open book provisions, for example—contracts will include these as a safeguard to ensure transparency and accountability, but once the ink dries, they might as well be invisible. It’s a bit like signing up for a gym membership with the best of intentions and then never stepping foot inside. Except, in this case, there’s a lot more paperwork involved.

This riveting report from one of the UK's most thrilling organisations—Procurement for Housing—dives into the joys of contract mismanagement. And the consequences are far from minor. Mismanaged contracts are reportedly costing organisations up to 9% of their annual turnover. That’s a serious financial black hole, especially when the tools to manage these contracts properly are readily available. But instead of using them, they’re tossed into the proverbial drawer, gathering dust and growing more irrelevant by the day.

Open book provisions? Check. Performance tracking? Check. Contract change notices? Oh, they’re all there. But actually using these tools to hold suppliers accountable and ensure value for money? That seems to be the part that gets lost along the way. The report highlights that once contracts are signed, they often sit in the background, barely monitored, with no follow-up or strategic oversight. It’s as if the public sector is saying, "We’ve done our bit, the rest will sort itself out."

And of course, this isn’t just a little oversight—it’s a systemic issue that’s costing millions. The reality is that proper contract management isn’t just a box-ticking exercise. It requires ongoing attention, data-driven decision-making, and an actual follow-through on those open book provisions that were so thoughtfully included in the first place. But until then, it looks like signed contracts will continue to be forgotten in the filing cabinet of doom—right next to that gym membership.

Related posts
Neque sodales ut etiam sit amet nisl purus. Egestas erat imperdiet sed euismod nisi porta lorem.
Neque sodales ut etiam sit amet nisl purus. Egestas erat imperdiet sed euismod nisi porta lorem.
Neque sodales ut etiam sit amet nisl purus. Egestas erat imperdiet sed euismod nisi porta lorem.
Contact

Get in touch!

Contact us today to learn how can help you reduce your costs and free up your time.
Get in Touch
Get in Touch