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In simple terms, the definition of a service is the art to translate a research outputs output or development activity into a standard workflow in order to produce a desired result at a fixed price. The price is determined on the basis of the prices of the local economy. The product of this activity is a so called service template. It is used for the provision of standardized routine services for out-scaling. In the process research outputs and development activities are transformed into products which are negotiable in the real economy. Thus, the result of an investment for their dissemination is calculable.

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The definition of a new service template usually starts with a brainstorming exercise for gathering ideas by screening research outputs, routine procedures and best practice that might be interesting for out-scaling. Simplicity and the evaluation of demand by looking at the potential benefits for beneficiaries and involved service providers and are key.

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Objective / Purpose: Explaining how the service will contribute to the solution of the problem.

Outputs / Products: List of measurable and tangible results (e.g. products & services ) that are delivered to the requester.

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Activities: Description of the activities that have to be carried out by a Task Agent in order to complete the task manager.

Result: This is a list of the products that must result from the task in quantitative and qualitative terms.

Source of verification: For each product the proof and task a source of verification for the completion of the task on the internet must be indicated.

Task manager: The person or organization agent: Specification of the type of person(s) or organization(s) that carries out the task. For each task In includes the description of the required professional and social skills must be defined.

ExpensesExpenditures: Detailed quantification of resources that are required on average to carry out the task (e.g. working hours, material, consumables, transport, …).. The different cost item are classified according in the following categories:   transport, stationary, travel, casual labour, small equipment, communication and miscellaneous. For each cost item it will be indicated if the costs are covered by the project or by third parties. Cost items are grouped by those that are paid for by the project and those that are covered by third party contributions (in-kind) (see also 2.7 pricing of services below).

Honoraria: The amount that is paid to the Task Agent once he has completed the taskIn kind contributions: In some cases partners involved in the action might make an in kind contribution to assure the completion of a task. This is important for reasons of transparency, for acknowledging contributions of partners and to avoid hidden costs that might need to be considered in further scaling.

Duration: Time during which the task must be completed.

Step 5 - Elaborate instructions

Description It is a description of the methodology, rules and regulation, which have to be observed during the execution of the various tasks in order to get a the desired result.

Step 6 - Forms

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Pricing is done in negotiation with concerned service providers / task agents.

Basically a price of a task service is determined by adding up all expenditures for goods and services that are required to carry out the task various tasks and the honorarium honoraria of the service providerinvolved Task Agents.

Pricing of services is carried out in four steps:

1. Gather local prices: A list is elaborated with the prices of all goods and services that are required to carry out the activities. It is an open list that is extended and up-dated according to need.

2. Pricing of a task: The price of a task is equal to the estimated expenditures for the resources that are required to carry out the task plus the honorarium of the involved Task Agent.

It starts with the estimation of the expenditures for resources that are required on average to complete a task by indicating the number of units for each of the required goods and services. The estimated quantities are multiplied with the corresponding prices and added in order to compute the price for expenditures.

Third party contributions: In some cases partners involved in service delivery might make an in kind contribution to assure the completion of a task (e.g. work time, office space). For reasons of transparency and reporting purposes their contribution must be acknowledged and if possible quantified (estimated) in order to avoid hidden costs that might need to be considered during subsequent scaling.

Example:

 3. Define payment schedule: Since many service providers are poor, three cases scenarios are distinguished:

Case 1 - Tasks Scenario 1 –Expenditures for a service are below 50€: The total amount is paid upon delivery. All activities are pre-financed by the service providerTask Agents.

Case 2 - Tasks Scenario 2 – Expenditures are equal or above 50€: An advanced payment is made for the expenditures and the rest is paid upon delivery. At most the advance is equal to total cost of a task minus the honorariumexpenditures. In all cases the honorarium is only paid upon delivery.

Case 3 - Several services in a short intervalScenario 3 – Expenditures for a batch of services are equal or above 50€: In some cases several services need to be delivered in less than a month time. In such cases the tasks manager is paid upon the delivery of these short period. For this purpose the National Service Coordinator can define batches of services. In this situation the price cost for project expenditures of the tasks is multiplied by the number of services that need to be delivered in the given period. If the total amount of expenditures exceeds 50€ he will receive an advanced payment according to the rule described in case scenario 2.

4. Pricing of a service: The price of a service is the sum of the prices for the tasks.

Step 8 - Quality management

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