ABSTRACT
This chapter shows how interventionist techniques can be most effectively applied at a tactical or operational level in order to ensure compliance with contract management and general good house-keeping. The government’s capacity and authority for financial intervention is an important measure which is used to control public expenditure. In many cases, where the comparative balances indicate a substantial overspending, it is apparent that budgetary episodes encompass a much longer time span than the neat time frame into which resources are finally allocated. In a climate of change budget managers tend to insure against immobilising factors by creating resource structures. This means that resources which are more amenable are utilised to a greater extent and funding is made available with emphasis on non-recurring items. There are two main pressures upon managers to keep the life span of a particular resource within manageable limits. These are a desire to have mobility and the cost of prolonging a lifespan beyond its realistic use.
