The minimum requirements for procurement professionals’ understanding of information management and digital technology have been set out in a new competence framework.
The new Competence Framework for Procurement Professionals in the Built Environment in England, published by Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), sets out 17 areas of ‘minimum competence’ that procurement practitioners must comply with. The 17 areas of competence include information management, legal and contractual requirements, stakeholder engagement and procurement strategy.
Under information management, the framework states that a procurement professional shall be able to:
- apply information management principles throughout the procurement activities, including the use of relevant digital technology;
- make sure the procurement process and contractual obligations take account of maintaining the golden thread of information and all elements of the building that could impact building safety;
- understand the requirements of relevant stakeholders, including the (principal) accountable person and those responsible for ongoing operation and management to facilitate the smooth transition of asset information from construction to operations;
- make sure there is a clear handover of procurement-related information between construction stages and that the required level of asset information at handover is clearly defined and understood by the receiving party;
- understand requirements for exchange of fire and life safety critical information;
- present information in the format required to ensure compliance; and
- understand the use of technology to communicate data and information in supply chains.
CPD commitment
Under the framework, procurement professionals must maintain their competence through a commitment to CPD and, where externally accredited, be reassessed against the framework every five years.
As well as CIPS, the framework was drafted by:
- the Association for Project Management;
- the Chartered Institute of Building;
- the Construction Products Association;
- the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors; and
- the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management.
Ben Farrell, CEO of CIPS, said: “This framework is essential to ensure the industry has learnt the lessons from the Grenfell Tower tragedy. At its heart, this framework is the recognition that procurement professionals have a responsibility to ensure that the products and services that they procure deliver buildings that are safe for those who use them.”
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