BBC Digital VfM Technical Expertise 2022

The key benefit of appointing an external expert, as opposed to keeping the work solely in-house, is the access to practical experience of both public and private sector organisations. The expert will know what good looks like, and the advice they provide will take into account the pressures and constraints that the BBC is under. External support is essential to being able to form a robust view, and develop fair conclusions, and provide us with assurance that our report provides insight in the digital and technology sector. There is reputational risk for the NAO if the work is not thorough or is not technically credible as this is a key piece of work on the BBC, who will expect us to bring this level of understanding to the work. The key steps and contract deliverables will be as follows:

During fieldwork, between May and September 2022, the contractor will:

• Prepare a robust framework for assessing the role and performance of relevant business and technical activities for the BBC.
• Provide technical advice on whether the BBC meets the assessment criteria. This should be captured in writing.
• Review the technical and programme documentation.
• Conduct interviews alongside NAO staff.
• Provide us ongoing feedback and input to the team with his assessment of good practice, areas of potential concern and other remaining queries. Where possible this should be captured in writing.
• Provide input to developing our emerging findings in summer 2022.

Following on from that when we begin drafting in October and November, he would:

• Review and comment on the NAO draft report
• Provide challenge and insight on our findings, conclusions and recommendations.
• Provide assistance with clearance comments raised by the BBC on technical matters.