Summary
This project facilitated a workshop with the PISC agencies to establish a governance structure for the developing feedbase investment portfolio. Project Description By 4 November, 2011 we:
Reviewed background material from MLA associated with the feedbase investment plan and need for a governance structure(s) Based on the governance discussion paper (supplied), design and implement a workshop program to identify the individual PISC agency preferences for governance in the feedbase portfolio, and establish a collective response to an accepted governance structure
Identified strengths and weaknesses, and justification for individual organisational preferences and the proposed structure(s) including risk associated with each structure
Drafted a report from the workshop, collecting the workshop input and final recommendations of a governance structure.
The purpose of the workshop was to "Define and endorse a governance structure for the feedbase portfolio that is appropriate to each organisation's interest, strategic direction, capacity and capability (now and into the future)." The meeting agreed on the outline of a governance structure for the portfolio that was based on the view that there is no clear segregation of interest in the portfolio at theme or even pillar level. Thus, a portfolio-level body is recommended, comprising senior PISC agency personnel and potentially other (currently non-investing) organisations that would operate like the Board of an unincorporated joint venture, taking a strategic role, reviewing current activities, identifying gaps / future work and allocating resources appropriately. This body would also share information on priorities and capacity and agree roles (e.g. major, supporting, link) within the portfolio. At the pillar level, a Pillar Chair or Pillar Leader would be appointed. This person might be provided as an in-kind contribution by an agency with a major role in the pillar, or could be an MLA-supported staff member or consultant. The role of the Pillar Chair would be technical and would involve convening periodic meetings of Theme or Project Leaders within the pillar to review project progress, monitor resources and identify opportunities, and exchanging information with other Pillar Leaders, with this information being fed up into the portfolio governance body. The portfolio-level body was supported by an Executive Officer who would also assist the Pillar Chairs and be responsible for organising meetings, taking notes and ensuring communication between pillars (horizontally) and with the portfolio body (vertically). Specific recommendations from the workshop were that:
The model for governance of the feedbase portfolio should essentially be as described above.
There is a need to develop: A diagram and overall statement about the feedbase structure, including the hierarchical positioning of the portfolio body among the national R,D&E strategy bodies (RMCiC, SAMRC etc)
Detailed terms of reference for the portfolio body, Executive Officer and Pillar Chairs
A more specific model for the project idea-to-approval process, including the involvement of industry stakeholders (e.g. regional committees) and agencies outside the RMCiC partnership
Streamlined IP arrangements in the contracting process.
