The Consultancy Playbook
Summary
Government guidance on how to commission and engage with consultants more effectively, achieving better outcomes, better value for money and supporting Civil Service capability through the creation of knowledge and skills.
Version 1.1 of the Consultancy Playbook retains the focus on getting consultancy engagements right at the start, ensuring that we are using the right consultants in the right instances to fill specific skills and knowledge gaps which can not be filled by internal resources. A well trained and skilled Civil Service needs to be disciplined in its use of external consultants, and while there will always be requirements for specialist skills that the Civil Service does not possess, we should ensure that sufficient attention is given not just to the successful delivery of any external consultancy that is required, but to effective knowledge transfer so that internal skills continue to grow. This
approach will deliver both value for money and better quality projects and public services for the citizens that use and rely on them.
Related Playbooks
The Construction Playbook (Cabinet Office)
The Net Zero Estate Playbook (Cabinet Office).
The Retrofit Playbook (Green Building Council)