theTeam.

Improving the way government buys design.

By Julian Grice 29 May 2009.
0 comments

Last week I was invited to represent the Team on a Design Business Association (DBA) parliamentary panel set up to improve the public sector procurement of design services. A few years ago we created a training programme for public sector design buyers called Design Does It run by the DBA and Design Council which raised many of the issues this panel is going to tackle.

The issues are big and if we crack them both consultancies and clients will benefit. For businesses we are typical of agencies that have to invest a massive amount of time and effort to navigate complex and tortuous procurement systems. While public services needs better ways to access the best creative people to help them crack issues and innovate new solutions.

There will be three panel sessions where parliamentarians and design industry leaders are hearing expert witness testimonies from design businesses, design organisations and design buyers. The panel’s role is to highlight private and public sector good practice, establish universal standards and recommend changes in European contract law and client roster management. I'll keep you posted!