The launch of BSi PAS 11000 is a world first and heralds the start of an innovative programme to transform and formalise a consistent approach to collaborative relationship management and establishing the foundation for benchmarking organisations both internally to raise the skill base and externally to support evaluation of potential partners. It then provides a platform on which to optimise collaboration for mutual benefit.

The Publicly Available Specification (PAS) is a framework specification which captures best practice from a broad spectrum of organisations both private and public sector. Establishing best practice by harnessing the benefits for the business community is the backbone of BSi’s activities. Building on the knowledge network of Partnership Sourcing Limited (PSL), a joint DTI/CBI initiative, and its pioneering CRAFT methodology PAS 11000 provides guidance and an auditable platform, which most companies can adopt without major investment. It provides a common sense approach, which will enable organisations to engage more quickly and effectively to create collaborative arrangements that deliver real value with greater confidence in each other.

BSi with PSL sort input from a broad range of organisations to gather practical experience to validate and fine-tune the framework, creating a standard that would capture the key elements of effective collaborative relationships. ‘’ Partnering for Profit is not a new concept’’, says Frank Post, marketing director of BSi. ‘’Recent years have seen a sharp rise in outsourcing. However, standardising approach will improve competitiveness and efficiency of business. The PAS framework is based on eight-phase model, which enables organisations to focus their efforts from concept to disengagement: