DCA Governance Framework · Implementation Plan
From no governance to full framework rollout
Purpose
This plan sets out how to implement the Standardised DCA Governance Framework when the organisation currently has no standardised DCA governance. It provides phased workstreams, dependencies, and a master checklist. Detailed step-by-step tables for each phase are in the bundled Markdown file.
Assumptions
- No single DCA policy or standardised contract and SLA today.
- Existing DCA arrangements (contracts, delegation, reporting, meetings) vary by DCA.
- Goal: one consistent process across all DCAs; no DCA exempt without a documented exception.
Implementation approach: four phases
| Phase | Name | What it means | Typical duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Policy | Agree policy in principle | Draft and get in-principle sign-off on DCA Governance Policy and direction (Layer 1). Full formal approval can follow in parallel with other work. | 2-4 weeks |
| Internal assets | Build in parallel (4 streams) | Stream A: contracts and Layer 2 appendix. Stream B: delegated authority and Appendix A. Stream C: rhythm and packs (Layers 5, 3). Stream D: standard reporting pack and monthly engagement deck (Layer 3, monthly pack). | 4-10 weeks (parallel) |
| Engage | Provide packs to DCAs | Publish standard pack and monthly engagement pack to all DCAs; brief them; set go-live schedule and governance calendar. | 2-4 weeks |
| Roll out | DCA rollout | Each DCA adopts new reporting, aligns contract, SLA, and assurance to the framework; track per-DCA completion. | 3-6 months (by DCA) |
Duration depends on number of DCAs, legal and compliance capacity, and internal approvals.
Detailed phases (seven workstreams)
| # | Workstream | Framework alignment |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Draft and agree policy (in principle, then formal) | Layer 1 |
| 2 | Review current contracts | Layer 2 |
| 3 | Review current delegated authority | Layer 1 Appendix A |
| 4 | Review current monthly operating rhythm and packs | Layer 5, Layer 3 |
| 5 | Build standard reporting | Layer 3 |
| 6 | Provide new reporting and monthly engagement packs to DCAs | Layer 3, Layer 5, monthly pack |
| 7 | DCA rollout: new reporting and contract, SLA, assurance alignment | Layers 1-6, Appendix |
Dependencies (high level)
Policy is agreed in principle first. Then the four internal streams (contracts, delegated authority, rhythm and packs, build standard) run in parallel. Once internal assets are ready, Engage (provide packs to DCAs), then Roll out per DCA.
Master project checklist
| # | Gate | Owner | Done |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DCA Governance Policy (Layer 1) and appendices approved and published | Head of Collections | ☐ |
| 2 | Standard contract appendix and SLA standard (Layer 2) agreed; gap register and rollout plan in place | Legal / Collections | ☐ |
| 3 | Delegated authority (Layer 1 Appendix A) reviewed and aligned for all DCAs | Risk / Collections | ☐ |
| 4 | Current operating rhythm and packs reviewed; target cadence and pack scope agreed | Collections | ☐ |
| 5 | Standard monthly reporting pack and monthly engagement pack built and UAT completed | Collections | ☐ |
| 6 | All DCAs provided with new pack template, instructions, and engagement deck; go-live schedule set | Collections | ☐ |
| 7 | All DCAs rolled out: new reporting live, contracts, SLA, DA aligned (or exception documented), cadence in place | Programme Lead | ☐ |
| 8 | Issue Log (Layer 4) and Escalation Framework (Layer 6) in use for all DCAs | Risk / Collections | ☐ |
| 9 | Programme closure report and handover to BAU | Programme Lead | ☐ |
Full detail
Open Implementation-Plan-DCA-Governance-Framework.md in this folder for phase-by-phase steps, per-phase checklists, and the complete gate criteria.