Managing choice

Commissioning is the process of translating the needs of the citizen as customer into targeted and appropriate service delivery. It has been around for a while but it is maturing and taking on a significantly higher profile in some of the heartlands of the public sector such as health, education, social care and welfare. It has the potential to deliver many policy goals at a single stroke. However, despite significant benefits, the public sector is undoubtedly finding the implementation of commissioning a challenge. This is reinforced by the many commissioning frameworks and guidance notes which have been produced across the public sector in direct response to the early experiences and challenges encountered.