Comments on: Where have we got to in the Transformational Government discussion? http://idealgovernment.com/2005/11/where_have_we_got_to_in_the_transformational_government_discussion/ What do we want from Internet-age government? Wouldn't it be better if... Thu, 22 Mar 2012 14:23:24 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.2 By: Patrick Abrahams http://idealgovernment.com/2005/11/where_have_we_got_to_in_the_transformational_government_discussion/comment-page-1/#comment-574 Patrick Abrahams Mon, 14 Nov 2005 16:39:44 +0000 http://where_have_we_got_to_in_the_transformational_government_discussion#comment-574 Transformational Government – Sharing, Teamwork and belief in the strategy There are four insights and assumptions in the strategy that I find illuminating: The first sound to me that there are substantial problems with cross department co-operation and teamwork – This could be interpreted, and in our experience, substantiated by the “Not invented here” resistance to utilising “Shared” services: The strategy quotes: "Customer Service Centres, such as those for customer contact or payment processes, where there is significant scope for rationalisation through sharing, particularly if central, local and other public sector bodies can team up." "Bodies awarding funding should presume that public service organisations only deliver good value for money when they standardise and share services with others." "Central government, devolved administrations, local government and other public services – to identify areas of common purpose and opportunities for specific shared actions." Undoubtedly the CIO Council will help to break these problems down. But as the strategy points out: “The Shared Services agenda is a major cultural shift for the wider public sector.” A news article published this week headlined “A problem shared” details how fundamental this issue is. This article reported that two local authorities had come to an agreement of leaf-clearing duties. The County Council will clear up only wet leaves, because they are hazardous. The Borough Council will clear up only dry leaves because they are litter. The strategy continues with an optimistic view of "Beyond 2011" : "The culture of government will have changed to one which embraces – rather than shuns – sharing, which will continue to breakdown the silos perceived today." Sadly, I suspect that the Prime Minister may share these views, with only a luke warm support for the strategy in the forward: “This strategy has the potential for real transformation of public services.“ He is heartened by the fact that this strategy has come from the “Ground up”. I wonder how many levels of Management there are between the members of the CIO Council and front-line staff who transact daily with the general public – I would say 4 to 5 – An interesting definition of the “Ground” Transformational Government – Sharing, Teamwork and belief in the strategy

There are four insights and assumptions in the strategy that I find illuminating: The first sound to me that there are substantial problems with cross department co-operation and teamwork –

This could be interpreted, and in our experience, substantiated by the “Not invented here” resistance to utilising “Shared” services:

The strategy quotes:

“Customer Service Centres, such as those for customer contact or payment processes, where there is significant scope for rationalisation through sharing, particularly if central, local and other public sector bodies can team up.”

“Bodies awarding funding should presume that public service organisations only deliver good value for money when they standardise and share services with others.”

“Central government, devolved administrations, local government and other public services – to identify areas of common purpose and opportunities for specific shared actions.”

Undoubtedly the CIO Council will help to break these problems down. But as the strategy points out: “The Shared Services agenda is a major cultural shift for the wider public sector.”

A news article published this week headlined “A problem shared” details how fundamental this issue is. This article reported that two local authorities had come to an agreement of leaf-clearing duties. The County Council will clear up only wet leaves, because they are hazardous. The Borough Council will clear up only dry leaves because they are litter.

The strategy continues with an optimistic view of “Beyond 2011″ :

“The culture of government will have changed to one which embraces – rather than shuns – sharing, which will continue to breakdown the silos perceived today.”

Sadly, I suspect that the Prime Minister may share these views, with only a luke warm support for the strategy in the forward:

“This strategy has the potential for real transformation of public services.“

He is heartened by the fact that this strategy has come from the “Ground up”. I wonder how many levels of Management there are between the members of the CIO Council and front-line staff who transact daily with the general public – I would say 4 to 5 – An interesting definition of the “Ground”

]]>