PARTNERING Importantly, SESC has changed the traditional customer/supplier relationship, to adopt an approach that should take partnering to an advanced level, and is key to driving cost-reduction and efficiencies across the whole submarine support enterprise. Partnering is of course being increasingly widely embraced as a route to encourage closer industry/MoD working to common goals, with a view to focusing attention on performance and delivery. Whilst the MoD/industry partnering concept is still in its infancy in relative terms, it is generally recognised that successful partnering is not about formulaic words and compromise, while the two parties remain in their separate (and often opposing) camps – rather, it is about genuinely working together in a climate of openness and trust. Where SESC takes this a stage further, is in establishing a fully integrated joint MoD/industry team approach. SSMG was previously based solely at Babcock’s offices in Keynsham some 10 miles away, the new arrangement sees a major step towards true integration with a significant component of the SSMG team now co-located with the MoD team at Abbey Wood in North Bristol. The joint working of co-located technical staff improves the SSMG team’s visibility of technical issues within the wider context of the MoD ISM’s role through daily interactions with and amongst the various MoD stakeholders, enabling them to understand the issues better and therefore better deliver the support required. This is the foundation for creating an environment for mutual transfer of knowledge and experience between technical staff, optimising use and sustainability of scarce SQEP (Suitably Qualified and Experienced Personnel) resources, as well as generating a greater understanding of each team’s capabilities and shared understanding of design support issues. These benefits should increasingly apply to the entire joint team as ways of integrated working are developed and embedded. The SSMG role should also reduce input required from the MoD’s teams to manage and deliver the more routine, planned design support activities, freeing time to support operational platforms and divert more resource to through-life issues (which could ultimately result in improved availability and reduce cost). A hot-desking facility has also been introduced at the Keynsham site to better accommodate visiting MoD and SSMG team members, including provision of direct connectivity to the MoD’s IT systems. Additionally, two SSMG risk management engineers will integrate with the MoD ISM Project Support Office to provide joint risk management support.