G-Cloud Services
G-Cloud Giii
Independent Project Oversight
and Assurance Services
14 March 2013
14 March 2013
Government Procurement Service
Rosebery Court
St Andrews Business Park
Norwich
NR7 0HS
Tel: 0345 410 2222
Email: info@gps.gsi.gov.uk; and
Response to G-Cloud Services – G-Cloud Giii
To whom it may concern,
PCG Advisory Services Ltd is the UK subsidiary of Public Consulting Group (PCG). PCG is a
privately held consulting firm with 26 years of consulting services experience that includes more
than 16 years of Information Technology (IT) experience gained. We have worked on some of
the world’s largest IT projects across a range of departments including Health, Education,
Transport, Work & Pensions, Prison Service and Public Safety, and Treasury.
PCG, with offices in London, Poland and across North America, dedicates itself to the unique
and challenging environment of the public sector, including central and local government, which
in turn allows for a more insightful and complex consulting services approach to our clients.
PCG has carefully developed this expertise over time and often calls upon work completed from
its plethora of contracts over the years to strengthen both its project understanding and the
development of final products. PCG believes that the collective experience of its management
staff is the key to its capabilities and ultimate achievements. Many PCG consultants have
worked within government and draw from personal know-how to develop and implement
solutions for the IT challenges that government faces today. In particular, this strength comes
to the fore in our Independent Project Oversight and Assurance Services engagements.
PCG is comprised of five divisions: Technology Consulting, Health Services, Human Services,
Education, and Public Partnerships. This structure allows our organization to address a broad
range of public sector needs. It also allows the firm to assemble multidisciplinary teams when
required, taking advantage of the specialized expertise and experience of each practice area, to
address the multi-dimensional objectives of public sector agencies. Today, with over 1,200
professionals we offer a wide range of management and information technology consulting
services to help public sector clients achieve their performance goals and better serve
populations in need.
We endorse the use of information technology standards and best practices and are active
members of standard-setting organisations. The standards we currently apply include the
Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Software Engineering standards, the
Project Management Institutes’ (PMI) Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK),
PRINCE2, the Software Engineering Institute’s (SEI) Capability Maturity Model (CMM),
Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL) and the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) standards. Our consultants' understanding and experience in applying
best practices and choosing the appropriate standards based on the customer's business need
are essential elements in the delivery of a quality product and project success.
We thank you for the opportunity to submit this tender to participate with you and this important
initiative. We believe we can put together an exceptional team with the knowledge, skills,
PCG Advisory Services, LTD., Aldwych House, 71-91 Aldwych
London, United Kingdom WC2B 4HN Phone: 0844 415 6000
experience, qualifications, and methodologies necessary to help in response to growing
concerns by the National Audit Office (NAO) and Major Projects Authority (MPA).
Should questions arise, or if additional information is needed on the Independent Project
Oversight and Assurance Services or any one of our available services, please do not hesitate
to contact PCG Advisory Services Limited at 0844 415 6000 or by email at
JPescod@pcgeu.com.
Sincerely,
Jennifer Pescod
Associate Country Manager
PCG Advisory Services, LTD.
PCG Advisory Services, LTD., Aldwych House, 71-91 Aldwych
London, United Kingdom WC2B 4HN Phone: 0844 415 6000
G-Cloud Services
G-Cloud Giii
14 March 2013
Table of Contents
1)
SERVICE DEFINITION ............................................................................................ 1
a)
Service Overview......................................................................................................... 1
b)
Information Assurance ................................................................................................. 2
c)
Backup/Restore & Disaster Recovery .......................................................................... 2
d)
On-boarding/Off-boarding ............................................................................................ 2
e)
Pricing ......................................................................................................................... 3
f)
Service Management ................................................................................................... 3
g)
Service Constraints ..................................................................................................... 3
h)
Service Levels ............................................................................................................. 4
i)
Financial Recompense Model...................................................................................... 4
j)
Training ....................................................................................................................... 4
k)
Ordering/Invoicing Process .......................................................................................... 4
l)
Termination Terms ...................................................................................................... 4
m)
Data restoration / service migration ............................................................................. 5
n)
Consumer Responsibilities .......................................................................................... 5
o)
Technical Requirements .............................................................................................. 5
p)
Trial Service Details ..................................................................................................... 5
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1) Service Definition
a) Service Overview
An overview of the G-Cloud Service (functional, non functional)
Independent Project Oversight and Assurance Services
PCG Advisory Services Limited is the UK subsidiary of Public Consulting Group
(PCG). PCG is a leader in providing Independent Project Oversight and
Assurance services throughout the United States. The role of Independent
Project Oversight and Assurance is to provide information to those that sponsor,
govern and manage a project to help them make better informed decisions which
reduce the causes of project failure, promote the conditions for success and
deliver improved outcomes. Many public sector high risk projects are frequently
large scale, innovative and reliant on complex relationships between diverse
stakeholders. PCG will evaluate and assess a project's adherence to project
objectives and baselines providing oversight of project activities around scope,
cost, and schedule and evaluating the current status of where a project was in
relationship to planned and actual performance targets. These services can help
organizations reduce the time, cost, and risk to their business. We use industry
standards and best practices, including: IEEE 1490-1998 (Adoption of PMI
Standard), PMI Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK), IEEE 12202005 (Standard for Application and Management of the Systems Engineering
Process), IEEE 1058-1998 (Software Project Management Plan), Projects In a
Controlled Environment (PRINCE2), IEEE 12207-2008 (Information Technology
– Software life cycle processes), IEEE 1063-2001 (Standard for Software User
Documentation), IEEE 1471-2000 (Recommended Practice for Architectural
Description of Software Intensive Systems), IEEE 2001-1999 (Recommended
Practice for Intranet Practices – Web Page Engineering – Intranet/Extranet
Applications), PMI Practice Standard for Work Breakdown Structure (WBS),
IEEE 16085-2006 (Risk Management), IEEE 830-1998 (Recommended Practice
for Software Requirements Specification), IEEE 1233-1998 (Guide for
Developing System Requirements Specifications), IEEE Std 828-2005 (Software
Configuration Management), Information Technical Infrastructure Library (ITIL),
IEEE 730-2002 (Quality Assurance Plan), IEEE 1012-2004 (Software Verification
and Validation), IEEE 1028-2008 (Standard for Software Reviews and Audits),
IEEE 1061-1998 (Quality Metrics Methodology), IEEE 1059 (Software
Verification & Validation Guide), Capability Maturity Model Implementation
(CMMI) for Development, IEEE 829-1998 (Standard for Test Documentation),
IEEE 1008-1987 (Software Unit Testing), IEEE Std 14764-2006 (Software
Engineering — Software Life Cycle Processes — Maintenance). We use these
standards to develop customized templates, checklists, and reports to document
risks and issues, evaluate the project management processes, assess project
performance in terms of schedule, cost, scope, and human resources.
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b) Information Assurance
Information assurance – Impact Level (IL) at which the G-Cloud Service is accredited to
hold and process information
PCG has extensive experience complying with data protection laws and regulations
in the US and Poland. As part of fulfilling requirements in other service areas,
PCG Advisory Services is currently registered with Registration Number
Z3558069 under the Data Protection Act of 1998.
c) Backup/Restore & Disaster Recovery
Details of the level of backup/restore and disaster recovery that will be provided
This feature is not applicable to the Independent Project Oversight and
Assurance Services being offered. However, our services do provide an
independent view of the processes and timescales required for Disaster
Recovery, providing a check on the optimism bias often present in incumbent
providers.
d) On-boarding/Off-boarding
On-boarding and Off-boarding processes/scope etc.
PCG uses a five step process to ensure our clients receive the most value from
our services. The on-boarding and off-boarding process includes:
1. Project Kick-off Meeting – In this introductory meeting, PCG facilitates a
collaborative discussion to better understand the buyer’s expectations,
assumptions, and constraints so that we deliver exactly what is expected.
2. Discovery – Following the Kick-Off Meeting, PCG begins the discovery
process whereby data is collected from many different sources based on
information provided by the organization’s subject matter experts. We
collect that data through using a combination of the following data
gathering techniques:
a. Questionnaires – Written questions to be filled out by key personnel
b. Interviews – We will conduct multiple interviews with key players
and business staff that can best provide the needed information
c. Documentation – We will collect all pertinent documentation
including legislative requirements, especially where they would be
different between the US and UK for analysis and review
3. Analysis and Clarification – Once all pertinent information is gathered, we
then thoroughly analyze based on the scope of the effort to ensure we
completely understand the problem(s) facing an organization. PCG prides
our reputation on looking at problems and issues through the eyes of our
clients, so that we can identify, recommend, and implement the most
appropriate solutions.
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4. Delivery and Implementation – Based on the expectations agreed upon in
the scope of work and clarified from the Kick-Off Meeting, PCG uses the
data and information gathered, analyzed, and clarified to implement and
deliver solutions to meet our client’s needs.
5. Lessons Learned – Upon conclusion of any major phase as well as the
conclusion of the engagement, PCG will conduct a Lessons Learned
workshop with key buyer personnel to identify what went well and what
could be done better for future endeavors. We provide a comprehensive
report to the client, which can be used to better manage services provided
in the future regardless of the provider selected.
e) Pricing
Pricing (including unit prices, volume discounts (if any), data extraction etc.)
The pricing for the Requirements, Design, and Testing Support Services include:

Unit: Day

Currency: GBP

Range: £400 - £1,600

Average for core service component: £1,200
f) Service Management
Service management details
PCG can support service management in providing project oversight for the client
to define and ensure that quality services are being provided that meet the needs
of the business. In this, we would ensure that a process is in place that follows a
framework that will bring together the technical objectives and activities with the
business objectives and activities. To do this we conduct an overall assessment
of the process and procedures being used to determine the current health of the
project and/or organization. This would include a determination of how much
government best practices (e.g., PRINCE2, PMBOK, IEEE, ITIL, and CMMI) are
being followed on the project and/or by the organization. The next step would be
determined in coordination with the client and the results of the initial assessment
as well as the current health of the project and/or organization. It may require
further concentrated review of a specific core area (such as information security,
testing, change control, and configuration management) and how that specific
area could be improved.
PCG can also support the implementation of a quality framework that is in line
with government best practices, including PRINCE2, PMBOK, IEEE, ITIL, and
CMMI. The specific service management support needed will be determined in
coordination with the client and the project and/or organization.
g) Service Constraints
Service constraints (e.g. maintenance windows, level of customisation permitted,
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schedule for deprecation of functionality/features etc.)
As the Independent Project Oversight and Assurance Services being offered is a
consulting rather than operation service, there are no major constraints to the
level of service we can provide.
As a firm with largely US-based employees, we draw heavily on consulting
services from our US practice areas, and use this to build UK-based expertise as
required.
h) Service Levels
Service Levels (e.g. performance, availability, support hours, severity definitions etc.)
This feature is not applicable to the Independent Project Oversight and
Assurance Services being offered.
i) Financial Recompense Model
Financial recompense model for not meeting service levels
This feature is not applicable to the Independent Project Oversight and
Assurance Services being offered.
j) Training
Training
PCG will ensure that all knowledge and understanding gained by any of the
Requirements, Design, and Testing Support Services provided are turned over to
the client. PCG would work with the client to define a knowledge transfer and
training plan that includes, as applicable:

Proposed knowledge transfer/training delivery methods
o Classroom training
o Job shadowing
o Computer based training

Specific course curriculums and descriptions, as applicable

Strategy for knowledge transfer to business and technical staff

Proposed technical training and knowledge transfer schedule

Roles and responsibilities of contractor and client staff
k) Ordering/Invoicing Process
Ordering and invoicing process
We expect services to be paid for in full within 30 days of invoicing.
l) Termination Terms
Termination terms:
(i.) By consumers (i.e. consumption)
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(ii.) By the Supplier (removal of the G-Cloud Service)
As the Independent Project Oversight and Assurance Services being offered are
a consulting rather than operational service, our terms for termination of the
contract with a consumer would be subject to the usual notice periods, to be
agreed with the client at the start of a project.
m) Data restoration / service migration
The Independent Project Oversight and Assurance Services being offered do not
involve the restoration of data or service migration.
n) Consumer Responsibilities
Consumer responsibilities
Reference should be made to the standard framework agreement as well as the
PCG specific terms and conditions.
o) Technical Requirements
Technical requirements (service dependencies and detailed technical interfaces, e.g.
client side requirements, bandwidth/latency requirements etc.)
The Independent Project Oversight and Assurance Services being offered can be
provided irrespective of existing client service dependencies, technical interfaces,
and infrastructure.
p) Trial Service Details
Details of any trial service available
The Independent Project Oversight and Assurance Services being offered, due
to their consultancy nature, do not lend themselves to a trial offering that would
be accessible by any potential client. However, we would be willing to consider
trial projects with clients who were interested in considering using an
Independent Project Oversight and Assurance Service more widely.
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