Commissioning processes benefit from third sector directories

Third sector supplier directories are seen as a highly useful and effective aide to commissioning processes, according to the findings of a research project.
The Directories Research Project investigated the current situation regarding the use and development of supplier directories in the third sector, the requirements of commissioning and procurement professionals in the public sector, and appropriate IT systems available for organisations considering producing a directory.
The research, which was commissioned by the Five Counties Partnership and delivered by ChangeUp Merseyside, also found that commissioners want online searchable directories to give as much information as possible and that commissioners and procurement officers believed that local infrastructure organisations (LIOs) were the most effective and efficient bodies to develop and manage directory content.
But although commissioners recognised that the production and maintenance of online supplier directories required financial investment, they were unable to commit to providing such investment, particularly given the current state of public sector scrutiny, proposed cuts and change at strategic and government level.