Design Manual for Roads and Bridges (DMRB) Agile Methodology Application

Tender description

Summary of the work This project will have an initial discovery phase to allow for full definition of user stories and system requirements to be determined. The overall desired outcome of the project will be a working pilot system and a Highways England team capable of applying agile practices to their backlog of tasks. Expected Contract Length 55 working days over 2.5 months Latest start date 28/11/2016 Budget Range £80k - £100k (excluding Travel and Subsistence (T&S), which will be charged for trips to other Highways England locations in line with the Highways England expense policy) Why the Work is Being Done Currently the DMRB needs updating. Under investment over the years mean that in many instances constant patching has made it complicated and inaccessible. We are carrying significant risk in terms of designing and maintaining a safe and reliable service. We cannot delay action any longer and must commence pilots to identify a totally new culture for maintaining the DMRB using cutting edge technology. We are seeking suppliers who will be able to explore the potential for using an ICT platform that will drive an open and agile culture. Problem to Be Solved The interplay between software, culture and working practices is complex, many variables are unknown and the best way to define them is by adopting a rapid plan, do, study act cycle. This project will have an initial discovery phase of approximately 1 month to allow for full definition of user stories and system requirements. From this an initial platform can be selected and working practices defined for Civil Engineer and once complete emphasis will rapidly move to development. Who Are the Users The output of this pilot should provide Highways England Staff with a blueprint for the future delivery of the DMRB and TDD with confidence that the system will provide a cost effective and technically sustainable solution. The project would also provide coaching to Highways England team on how to use an agile approach to manage their backlog of updates to a subsection of the DMRB. This would enable Highways England to continue to explore the opportunities for using an agile approach in the context of Highways England business. Work Already Done A review of the DMRB, including consultation with its main users, detailed eleven recommendations that were endorsed by the Highways England Executive Committee in March 2016 Recommendations included the need to invest to explore options for a 21st century platform and working practices to enable the efficient development, production, publication, management and archiving of standards including departure from standards. Existing Team Close liaison is required with Highways England core teams, technical specialists, DMRB project sponsor, as well as resources from TDD and setting up an agile working environment. This will include a software developer skilled in customising systems and integrating appropriate tools for users. The supplier will draw on the services of technical specialists and technology experts in the local and wider organisation as required that will include an agile expert who can provide coaching and technical oversight. The Supplier will embed customer engineers in our teams in order for them to learn about agile ways of working. Current Phase Discovery Skills & Experience • Senior agile team leader level experience in setting up agile working environment • Agile expert who can provide coaching and technical oversight • Expert knowledge and practice of running the project using a disciplined agile approach • Manage stories under Portfolio Management for business and track the progress • Strong Leadership qualities, conflict/issue resolution, client expectation and relationship management. • Strong team player(s) with a collaborative working style and the ability to communicate effectively within the organisation and externally to differing levels of technical ability. • Excellent communication skills, be proactive, and have a go getter approach • Sound knowledge of primary software platforms such as : XML, HTML, Jira, Github, Confluence • Sound knowledge of any other software platforms • Good knowledge and experience in the operation of document management and/or content management systems. • The associate possesses expert knowledge where appropriate and working knowledge where appropriate of the skills above and can actively and independently applies these skills in engagements and projects. • The associate has comprehensive, in-depth and specialised knowledge of the skills. He/she has extensively demonstrated successful application of the skill in engagements or projects. • The associate can function as a subject matter expert for this skill. The associate is capable of analysing, evaluating and synthesising solutions using the skill. Nice to Haves • Experience of administering highway construction or maintenance contracts including technical, commercial and legal aspects and the use and application of DMRB and the Specification for Highway Works would be advantageous • Track project progress on daily stand-up calls and resolve impediments for team • Soft skills including moderation, facilitation and presentation • Project management & delivery • Proactive and sense of delivery ownership Work Location Bristol Working Arrangments To aid easy communication and review progress the supplier will have office accommodation in Bristol and will also need to work at Highways England office in Bristol and other sites as appropriate. The project would also provide coaching to Highways England team on how to use an agile approach to manage their backlog of updates to a subsection of the DMRB. This would enable Highways England to continue to explore the opportunities for using an agile approach in the context of Highways England business and also develop a trusted relationship between both parties. No. of Suppliers to Evaluate 3 Proposal Criteria • Senior agile team leader level experience in setting up agile working environment • Agile expert who can provide coaching and technical oversight • Expert knowledge and practice of running the project using a disciplined agile approach • Manage stories under Portfolio Management for business and track the progress • Strong Leadership qualities, conflict/issue resolution, client expectation and relationship management. • Strong team player(s) with a collaborative working style and the ability to communicate effectively within the organisation and externally to differing levels of technical ability. • Excellent communication skills, be proactive, and have a go getter approach • Sound knowledge of primary software platforms such as : XML, HTML, Jira, Github, Confluence • Sound knowledge of any other software platforms • Good knowledge and experience in the operation of document management and/or content management systems. • The associate possesses expert knowledge where appropriate and working knowledge where appropriate of the skills above and can actively and independently applies these skills in engagements and projects • The associate has comprehensive, in-depth and specialised knowledge of the skills. He/she has extensively demonstrated successful application of the skill in engagements or projects • The associate can function as a subject matter expert for this skill. The associate is capable of analysing, evaluating and synthesising solutions using the skill Cultural Fit Criteria • Support and work according to Highways England’s vision and values • Work in a collaborative manner with Highways England, Highways England suppliers and other suppliers and other nominated parties deemed as appropriate Payment Approach Fixed price Evaluation Weighting Technical competence 65% Cultural fit 10% Price 25% Questions from Suppliers 1. The requirement to have office accommodation in Bristol is a little unusual. Does a company have to be based in Bristol or is access to office accommodation acceptable? The supplier needs a base in Bristol for the software development. This is a project that will be piloted in the Highways England Bristol office involving iterative software development and there will a close liaison with our staff in Bristol. We see this as quite important to have that close contact and also to keep the cost at a minimum. 2. For the question on experience of administering highway construction or maintenance contracts, are you looking for a construction expert or would a technology expert with experience of Highways England be acceptable? Yes a technology expert with experience of Highways England would be acceptable. 3. Please could we clarify the expected procurement timeline? The EOI deadline is set for the 21 Nov, but the latest start date is set for one week later (28 Nov). Following the EOI deadline, we are expecting to be requested to provide evidence of our essential and nice-to-have skills and experience, followed by a proposal and then presentation, which in previous DOS procurements has taken several weeks. The ideal position for Highways England is to have a supplier in place and ready to start work this side of Christmas and if this is not practical then the fall-back position is that we would like to conclude the procurement of the supplier before Christmas so that they are ready to start in January 2017.