Course Description
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the theory, approaches, principles and practices of public-sector partnering and procurement. There is a marked increase in the use of outsourcing and partnering in the financing, design, development, operation and maintenance of large-scale capital and social initiatives by governments at all levels in Canada (and overseas). The capacity and capability of government and non-government organizations to work collaboratively, effectively and efficiently on these large, high-cost and very high-impact initiatives is often the difference between a success and failure. With so much at stake for governments, citizens, organizations and stakeholders, it is imperative that the theory, approaches, principles and practices used meet the demands of this highly complex and important work.
The course content straddles the areas of supply chain management, project-based procurement and public/private partnering. As such, it builds on students’ previous knowledge of both supply chain management and project management.
Course Content
1. Introduction to the Strategy of Procurement
- Scope and influence of procurement
- Strategic procurement
- Logistics and supply chain
- Organizational and supply chain structures
- Procurement policies, procedures and support tools
- Global Issues in Procurement
2. Introduction to Public sector procurement and sustainable procurement
- Public sector procurement
- Sustainability and socially responsible procurement
3. Project Procurement approaches
- Project procurement and risk management
- Global sourcing
4. Putting in place the elements for successful procurement
- Supplier relationships and partnering
- Legal and contractual management
- Quality management, service and product innovation
- Matching supply with demand
- Sourcing and the management of suppliers
- Purchase price management and long-term cost in use
5. Public/Private Partnering principle and practice
- Creating a shared vision
- Assembling the team
- Preparing for success
- Structuring partnering deals
- Evaluating Public Private Partnerships
- Managing risk and sharing success
6. Managing procurement successfully
- Negotiation skills, practices and business benefits
- Contract management
- Category and commodity procurement
- World-class procurement to enhance business performance
Learning Activities
Methods of instruction will depend on the delivery mode: In-person, online, hybrid, or guided study.
Methods may include:
- Lectures (in-person, video)
- Discussion groups (in-person or online)
- Guest speakers
- Small-group work
- Independent study
- Video or audio presentations
Means of Assessment
This is a graded course. The means of assessment for this course will align with the course objectives and delivery mode, and adhere to the Douglas College Evaluation Policy. Regardless of format, the assessment will include a minimum of three separate assessments and include:
- Understanding of global competencies
- Evidence of critical thinking and perspective-taking
|
Assignments
|
10 - 20% |
| Tests* |
20 - 30% |
| Case study or research project |
20 - 30% |
| Participation/Attendance |
5 - 10% |
| Final Examination |
20 - 30% |
| Total: |
100% |
*A combination of quizzes and/or midterms, with no single assessment in this group worth more than 25% of the final grade.
Notes:
- At least 50% of the total coursework must be for individual work.
- Students must achieve a grade of at least 50% on the combined exam components to pass the course.
- To pass the course, students must achieve a cumulative grade of at least 50% in all non-group assessments as well as an overall grade in the course of 50% or more. In other words, students must have achieved at least 50% on their cumulative individual assessments in order to be eligible to earn marks from group work.
- Students may conduct research as part of their coursework in this class. Instructors for the course are responsible for ensuring that student research projects comply with College policies on ethical conduct for research involving humans, which can require obtaining Informed Consent from participants and getting the approval of the Douglas College Research Ethics Board prior to conducting the research.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the course, students will be able to:
- Define the procurement life cycle process and its role in an organization.
- Demonstrate a basic knowledge of public sector partnering projects.
- Present a global issue from more than one perspective or worldview.
- Relate a global issue to specific local actions.
- Understand the importance of the procurement process in a project.
- Demonstrate critical thinking to support a position on a sustainability issue.
- Demonstrate understanding of the purpose and nature of public sector organizations from federal through to municipal government (and including crown corporations).
- Demonstrate understanding of the relationship between the public, non-profit and private sectors in terms of collaborative and cooperative approaches to creating value, including (but not limited to) delivering services and building infrastructure.
- Demonstrate understanding of the regulatory frameworks within which the public sector operates in terms of procurement and partnerships.
- Analyse approaches to procurement and partnering between the public, non-profit and private sectors in terms of risk, resilience, financing, operations and cost.
- Analyse the positive synergies as well as the potential downsides to long term public-private partnerships (including non-profit partnerships with either or both parties).
- Apply approaches to procurement as they relate either to the supply network/chain procurement of large-scale infrastructure development.
- Create a comprehensive stakeholder engagement plan for a major public-private initiative.
Textbook Materials
Textbooks and materials are to be purchased by students. A list of required textbooks and materials will be provided for students at the beginning of the semester. Textbook/s will be chosen from the following list:
- Lyons, Kenneth, Farrington, Brian. Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Pearson Education Limited, Latest Edition.
- Friedman, Stephen B., editor. Successful Public/Private Partnerships From Principles to Practice. Washington, DC: Urban Land Institute, Latest Edition.
- And/or other textbooks approved by the Business Department.
Optional:
- Course Pack as determined by the instructor that will include case studies and readings as required and appropriate.
- Project Management Institute, A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge, Latest Edition. (Optional but recommended).