Figure: Planning flowchart (Section 3)

Textural description of figure

This flow chart shows the chronological order for the contract planning process. The process for planning is:

1. Evaluate the strategic direction the council wishes to follow. Research, site visits and scoping documents will all assist in establishing the direction.
2. Confirm the service objectives. Once the strategic direction is confirmed, this combined with community and council objectives will establish the service objectives for the contract.
3. The next step is to consider the regulations that maybe required (bylaws and licensing), the preferred contractual approach and the objectives of the contract.
4. Then establish the mechanism for funding the contract (rates, user pays, cost sharing).
5. The final step is choosing the procurement process (expressions of interest, request for proposal, request for tender or renewal/variation to existing contract).