Local ‘stand alone’ services

The costings strategy for all PIE Abacus licences has been set according to a formula that aims to balance a number of factors. This formula means that the cost of an initial licence may be beyond the means of a very small, perhaps cash-strapped local service [1].

(See: Pizazz costs and income HERE: also Costs and sustainability HERE).

Even so, this need not mean that such small, local services are necessarily excluded from being party to a PIEs assessment, except at a cost they can’t really afford.

Many ways to be included

Firstly, for a very small local service, the Pizazz on paper should actually be enough for their immediate needs, if it to be used just within the service.  It's only if they or someone else wants to include them in a wider picture that they might benefit from having their data digitised, through the PIE iAbacus.

For example, a small local service can be included by being a member of a consortium of comparable services - in effect, a consumer co-op, to share the overheads. Or a smaller service might be included as part of a research project; or in providing views for a local needs analysis by the local authority.

In that case, it is the consortium, research institute or local authority (or any other body_ that obtains the licence, as lead agency; and simply by giving the smaller agency an access code, this makes the small service an Abacus 'user'. (See: FAQ; What is meant by a 'Lead Agency'? HERE)

Individuals in small local service

In just the same way, if the lead agency wishes to have the views of individuals included, it can issue these specific individuals with their own licence code for individual use. (For more on this distinction, see FAQ: Why have individuals as contributors: HERE. )

NB: There will be brief videos on the PIElink that outline how a combination of individual and team Abacuses can sometimes be very be effective, in general terms. The PIEs assessment training course will include an allocation of time to discuss this, for PIE leads in each agency. 

 

The simplest, most effective way to evaluate and improve your PIE from Daniel O'Brien on Vimeo.

 

PIElink pages

The PIE Abacus - an on-line Pizazz (summary) : HERE

What are people saying about the PIE Abacus? : HERE

Costs and sustainability : HERE

Use and terms of use : HERE

Ambition and modesty : HERE

A single framework : HERE

Customising the PIE Abacus : HERE

 

Essential background for PIE leads

The PIE Abacus range - an introduction for PIE leads : HERE

 

For applications in particular settings, see:

The PIE Abacus – in medium to large agencies : HERE

The PIE Abacus – in local practice networks : HERE

The PIE Abacus – in smaller 'stand alone' services : HERE

The PIE Abacus – as a research tool : HERE

The PIE Abacus – in communities of practice : HERE

The PIE Abacus – in service user-led assessments : HERE

The PIE Abacus – with services using PIEs1 : HERE 

 

All PIE Abacus FAQs : HERE