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The PSTA / Commissioning Compass / Reading

Introducing the eight approaches for commissioning

Introduction. Teaching text from June 2025.

June 2025 teaching template, slide 17

Introducing the commissioning compass - eight 'approaches' to commissioning

Step Five  - Exploring approaches to commissioning

As you can see from the assessment, we are opening up all of the different ways to assess your strategic commissioning system.  The aspects help you see 'what' the system contains and here we introduce the 'approaches’ to commissioning, which help you assess 'how' to intervene. 

You can approach commissioning in different ways, with different methods, different principles, and different means. We have classified this through our eight 'approaches' to commissioning.  Here is a summary of those approaches. 

Place-based wellbeing: Design and creation of a place-based wellbeing system.

Leadership of place for whole system change: Creating a system that works.

Unlocking potential: A place where everyone can thrive. 

Citizen-centred commissioning: empowering citizens within the system.

Values-based/disruptive commissioning: Changing the status quo

Strategic procurement of services against needs: Services that meet demand 

Market management: Creating conditions for best value and outcomes within financial constraints.

Delivery model design: Effective delivery models enabling effective practice.

You can find more detail for each of the 'approaches' within the chapters on 'aspects' of commissioning.  This will allow you to explore in more detail all the options available to you and your system.  

June 2025 teaching template, slide 18

Familiarise yourselves with the selected strategic commissioning approach and start to implement it

For each strategic commissioning approach, this includes:

Introducing the approach

How to move towards this approach

What to do, and what not to do, when pursuing this approach

Specific risks to watch out for, including when your room for manoeuvre is limited, and other hints and tips

The commissioning skills and structure that might be needed for this approach

June 2025 teaching template, slide 20

Introducing the commissioning compass - eight 'approaches' to commissioning

Place-based wellbeing: Design and creation of a place-based wellbeing system.

Leadership of place for whole system change: Creating a system that works.

Unlocking potential: A place where everyone can thrive. 

Citizen-centred commissioning: empowering citizens within the system.

Values-based/disruptive commissioning: Changing the status quo

Strategic procurement of services against needs: Services that meet demand 

Market management: Creating conditions for best value and outcomes within financial constraints.

Delivery model design: Effective delivery models enabling effective practice.

Once you understand your score on the eight aspects of commissioning, you can use this to select your most appropriate approach to commissioning.

June 2025 teaching template, slide 23

Introducing the eight approaches to commissioning

Place-based wellbeing: Design and creation of a place-based wellbeing system.

Leadership of place for whole system change: Creating a system that works.

Unlocking potential: A place where everyone can thrive. 

Citizen-centred commissioning: empowering citizens within the system.

Values-based/disruptive commissioning: Changing the status quo

Strategic procurement of services against needs: Services that meet demand 

Contestability and Market management: Creating conditions for best value and outcomes within financial constraints.

Delivery model design: Effective delivery models enabling effective practice.

June 2025 teaching template, slide 24

Eight aspects of commissioning

Citizen-centred commissiioning

Unlocking Potential

Leadership of place for whole system change

Place-based wellbeing

Delivery model design

Contestability and market management

Strategic procurement of services against needs

Values-based/ disruptive commissioning