Redirecting effort and resource away from busyness and toward effectiveness
Transformation programmes in the public sector and local government in the UK have been conditioned by external pressures, especially reforms imposed by central government, which have encouraged an 'instrumental-managerial' focus on performance measurement. However, recent research has indicated that the capacity for evaluation in government and the public sector is uneven and many obstacles to evaluation exist in organisational cultures. The sector needs to go beyond the development of review systems and processes to ensure that the capacity for evaluation and learning is embedded as an attribute of 'culture' in order to achieve the strategic outcomes of transformation programmes.
Matching approach to requirements, not requirements to approach
econLOG has developed BeMAP, a platform for maximising benefits through transformational activity, on the back of real-life experiences. BeMAP is not a toolkit in the widely applied use of the term. Instead, it combines industry-standard methodology with an implementation and management platform. As such, use of the platform is by definition guided by the requirements for transformation in a dynamic and fit-for-purpose approach, rather than trying to fit business requirements into a prescribed toolkit or methodological framework that can, at times, work against achievement of strategic outcomes.
Outcome driven efficiency
For the vast majority of the sector, transformation programmes of some sort have been initiated or implemented with a firm view on generating efficiencies. Generally, review of service portfolios in most cases will generate efficiencies, we believe that cost-effectiveness of public sector organisations, teams and individuals should be framed as an outcome - not as the main objective of transformation activity. By developing a transformation strategy on the basis of clear outcomes that are driven by the needs of users, organisations have significantly higher chances of generating real benefits - both in terms of non-cashable quality benefits, as well as cashable re-investable savings.
Shaping the future of services
Everyone (and everything) in the organisation must be doing what they're supposed to be doing to ensure strategies are implemented effectively. This situation has put more focus on effectiveness; that systems and processes in the organisation be applied in the right way to the right things in order to achieve results. econLOG will work with you to reshape service portfolios into high-quality evidence-based offers which will lead to fundamental changes in the planning and delivery of future services. Working together can help nurture and deliver turnaround management interventions in areas of greatest need. We can help with the review and appraisal of existing strategies, programmes and policy initiatives; assess how your organisation aligns with your overall strategic direction and jointly identify and implement suitable, pragmatic solutions.
Organisational Change
A study of transformation initiatives across the past ten years has indicated that significant numbers place undue emphasis on the process or technology dimension, leaving human issues unresolved. We believe that in order to increase the chances of successful programmes, it is fundamental to achieve the right balance between people, processes and technology. At the same time, clear leadership is needed to address the typical human concerns as well as recognition and factoring in of real-life practicalities when translating the vision into reality. Working together, we can ensure that the organisation, people and culture are in the best shape to deliver better public services.