First wave PMS pilots: a critical analysis of documentation

Contracts and interim local evaluation reports for the 14 first wave PMS pilots in Northern and Yorkshire region were analysed by documentary analysis. Both contracts and reports were found to vary considerably in size and scope. Most contracts contained aims and objectives that were too broad or vague to guide project management and they lacked useful milestones. This made it difficult to identify criteria for measuring success. The local evaluation reports were also of variable quality. It is recommended that contracts should be accompanied by a development plan containing specific objectives, timescale and process for implementation as well as an evaluation strategy. The relative importance of different targets should be agreed and specified at the outset, to allow weighting of partial success, where some objectives, but not others, are achieved. Project milestones would be made explicit and measurable in the development plan. More clarity in contracts and evaluation for future pilots is essential.