This specification, as part of a tender document, enables the procurement of outsourced services.
However, the requirement for a pervasive understanding of organisations at strategic, tactical and operational levels often requires the role of IC to be carried out by teams or organisations with defined, delegated responsibilities.
The role of IC typically requires the collection and management of data that represents the dimensions, finances, assets, and resources of the host organisation that capture the requirement for the services that fall within the IC's area of responsibility.
The Office for Nuclear Regulation of the Health and Safety Executive developed the concept of the "intelligent customer" in relation to licensee use of contractors and it has gained international acceptance.
[1] The Office of Government Commerce defines the intelligent customer function in the context of information systems management.