I gave a talk about AMP writing last year – focusing on the parts that I help with, which are at the beginning and the end of the process. And someone in the audience gave my approach the name of the AMP Sandwich. I love this, because it sums up how I work with subject matter experts to complete an AMP.
It’s particularly funny because my name (Debra) is an anagram of Bread …
Here’s the bread that I provide, and filling my clients work on (adapted from a recent proposal).
First piece of bread:
Early research, analysis and drafting support
- Reviewing the 2024 AMP to identify where updates are likely to be required, with notes on a marked up copy of the Plan.
- Meeting (online) with the Asset Planner to discuss the initial findings, to gain answers to my questions and enhance my understanding of the Council’s direction (including any relevant strategies, policies or plans developed by the Council since 2023), and to reach agreement on the approach to be taken.
- Preparing a letter for the Asset Planner which outlines the agreed scope and project plan. This letter will provide formal confirmation of the scope of the updates to be carried out and a list of the key issues and relevant documents to be reflected in the AMP.
- Updating the AMP to reflect the changes which have occurred since 2021, including those noted in the letter described above.
- Preparing a list of remaining tasks to be completed by Council staff to support your coordination of this work.
- Handing over the draft version of the AMP for staff to add in content related to the ‘out-of-scope staff tasks’.
AMP sandwich filling:
Tasks to be completed independently by Council staff.
- Coordinating the tasks to be completed by Council staff.
- Meeting with other staff to consider inter-departmental issues such as the inter-related management of transport/parks, stormwater/parks and environmental management/parks.
- Collecting and analysing asset condition data and other new data (e.g. updated valuations).
- Assessing achievement/non-achievement of performance targets (for levels of service), writing commentary on the implications and any proposed changes to the levels of service.
- Developing the forward work programme and cost estimates.
- Completing risk assessments.
- Providing all the financial information.
Second piece of bread:
Final writing and editing support
- Including remaining information from staff (to be collected via interviews with staff or acceptance of emailed information).
- Editing the staff version of the AMP to achieve consistent content and writing style throughout the AMP.
- Reviewing the improvement plan to ensure it is consistent with the content and commitments in the body of the document and is an achievable plan for the level of resourcing available (in discussion with the Asset Planner).
- Writing an executive summary that gives decision makers a snapshot of the key challenges, proposed solutions, funding implications and an assessment of the risks of not proceeding with the proposed solutions.
- Writing a concise introduction which reflects the overall structure and tone of the AMP.
- Making up to two rounds of revisions to reflect staff feedback are included in this finalisation stage.
- Completing basic formatting of the document.
Help with your AMP sandwich
Download Three AI Prompts to Kickstart Your AMP Review to help you complete your scoping process.
Direct help with your AMP
I have capacity to take on one more AMP project, beginning in April, so please get in touch if this timeframe is feasible for you.
Contact details:
- Phone: 021 215 4698
