Final answer:
A service level agreement (SLA) outlines the expected services and timeframe for delivery between departments. SLAs facilitate regular discussions on performance and improvements, which are vital for quality service delivery. They also set timelines in planning processes, with careful consideration needed to manage work schedules and competing priorities.
Step-by-step explanation:
Contact between departments specifying the service expected of each department and the time frame in which it is to be provided is a service level agreement (SLA). SLAs are critical in ensuring that there is a clear understanding of the requirements for service delivery between different departments or organizations. They establish regular conversation and feedback loops about the performance and areas for improvement, which is essential for continuous quality service.
For example, SLAs can influence a planning process by setting clear timelines for each stage, although this needs careful consideration to avoid impacting work schedules unduly, especially in the case of new program implementation without dedicated staff. These scenarios often require team members to allocate time from other funded projects to contribute to new initiatives, which can result in the challenge of managing competing priorities. Such situations were experienced during the conservative Trump administration when funding for certain programs was under threat, amplifying the importance of well-defined and manageable SLAs.