Introducing the eight aspects of commissioning

June 2025 teaching template, slide 12

Introducing the Commissioning Compass - eight aspects

The system assessment is structured around the eight 'aspects' of commissioning - An aspect is a part or feature of the total complexity of strategic commissioning. Each aspect looks through a different lens. Capturing therefore a wider perspective than traditionally captured in commissioning cycles or definitions.

Four of the aspects are more systems and outcome-based:​

Aspect 1 Whole system design: Work as one place to support and enable wellbeing, sustainability and mutual support.

Key question: Are we making a place that helps everyone live life well?​

Aspect 2 Relationships and organisation across the system: Everyone focused on achieving shared goals with aligned incentives and funding 

Key question: Is everyone working together coherently across our place?​

Aspect 3 Capacity, capability, and confidence: Shape markets, provision, and delivery of all those (place, assets, VCFSE, employees, families, friends, carers, neighbours, community, etc) who enable people can live their lives well

Key question: Are we building the ability to meet or prevent needs, across all sectors?​

Aspect 4 Citizen, place, and outcome centred: Citizens in charge of their own outcomes, with success measured by people’s views on whether and to what extent they can live their lives well 

Key question: Is the work led by the people or place who need it, and measured according to the outcomes they get?​

The other four are foundational pillars: ​

Aspect 5 Information, insight, and innovation: Commissioning approach that focusses on innovation and creativity and based on robust information / insight

Key question: Is the work led by the people or place who need it, and measured according to the outcomes they get?​

Aspect 6 Making room to make a difference: Meeting, interpreting, and actively shaping the policy and legal requirements that we have to work within

Key question: Do we understand and shape the law and policy we are working with? ​

Aspect 7 Commissioning process: Technically excellent, clear, and robust arrangements

Key question: Do we have a strong, effective process?​

Aspect 8 Models and tactics: Design of delivery and intervention models that are fit for purpose, effective, and innovative, based on real attention to how intervention and infrastructure is structured and delivered

Key question - Do we understand what makes a difference on the ground?

June 2025 teaching template, slide 21

Introducing the eight aspects of commissioning

More systems and outcome-based:​

Whole system design - Work as one place to support and enable wellbeing, sustainability and mutual support. Key question: Are we making a place that helps everyone live life well?​

Relationships and organisation across the system Everyone focused on achieving shared goals with aligned incentives and funding. Key question: Is everyone working together coherently across our place?​

Capacity, capability, and confidence - Shape markets, provision, and delivery of all those (place, assets, VCFSE, employees, families, friends, carers, neighbours, community, etc) who enable people can live their lives well. Key question: Are we building the ability to meet or prevent needs, across all sectors?​

Citizen, place, and outcome centred Citizens in charge of their own outcomes, with success measured by people’s views on whether and to what extent they can live their lives well. Key question: Is the work led by the people or place who need it, and measured according to the outcomes they get?​

And the foundational pillars: ​

Information, insight, and innovation Commissioning approach that focusses on innovation and creativity and based on robust information / insight. Key question: Is the work led by the people or place who need it, and measured according to the outcomes they get?​

Making room to make a difference Meeting, interpreting, and actively shaping the policy and legal requirements that we have to work within. Key question: Do we understand and shape the law and policy we are working with? ​

Commissioning process Technically excellent, clear, and robust arrangements. Key question: Do we have a strong, effective process?​

Models and tactics Design of delivery and intervention models that are fit for purpose, effective, and innovative, based on real attention to how intervention and infrastructure is structured and delivered Key question - Do we understand what makes a difference on the ground?

And an overarching aspect: are we convening change in a way that works?

June 2025 teaching template, slide 22

More systems and outcomes focused

More enabling and foundational

Eight aspects of commissioning

Citizen, place, and outcome-centred

Capacity, capability, and confidence

Relationships and organisation across the system

Whole system design

Models and tactics

Commissioning process

Making room to make a difference

Information, insight, and innovation

Convening change

June 2025 teaching template, slide 28

Simple questions for each of the eight aspects

More systems and outcome-based:

Whole system design - Are we making a place that helps everyone live life well?

Relationships and organisation across the system – Is everyone working together coherently across our place?

Capacity, capability, and confidence - Are we building the ability to meet or prevent needs, across all sectors?

Citizen, place, and outcome centred - Is the work led by the people or place who need it, and measured according to the outcomes they get?

And the foundational pillars:

Information, insight, and innovation - Do we really understand all the needs in our place, including the unmet need?

Making room to make a difference- Do we understand and shape the law and policy we are working with?

Commissioning process - Do we have a strong, effective process?

Models and tactics - Do we understand what makes a difference on the ground?

Give yourself an initial instinctive sore out of 100 on how you do on each of these aspects of commissioning