Based on interviews with senior figures in central and local government Bold Moves, a research report by business advisory firm Deloitte, highlights how public sector organisations need to match their strong record in policy formulation by shifting focus to improving the delivery and implementation of policy.

Bold Moves suggests that public sector organisations can build capabilities - new skills and capacities - across their workforces and use this as a mechanism to improve delivery. It also recognises that traditional boundaries and roles will change in response to a shifting requirement for public sector organisations to work collaboratively with others.

Building capability through performance management

The report concludes that effective performance management could help to drive capability building across the public sector workforce. Deloitte’s research found that in many cases public organisations do not use performance management to improve productivity and ensure individuals are judged on measurable outcomes.

Interviews conducted by Deloitte found that many public sector organisations had either identified poor performers but were prevented from taking action by cultural and procedural barriers or they had not yet taken steps to identify any poorly performing individuals or teams.

Deloitte has identified three areas to improve the capability of the public sector:

• Strengthen performance management regimes. Poor performance must be confronted. Where poor performance arises, individuals are sometimes shunted to a new role elsewhere in the public sector. Implementing stronger appraisal standards and professionalising the ‘line management’ function could be one response to this problem. Effective and disciplined performance management would also instil better accountability.
• Adapt to a new workforce. Encourage strategic thinking about which capabilities might be needed ‘in-house’ and which could be acquired through partnerships, together with a focus on retaining the right people with particular skills and managing external support more effectively.
• Develop a single overarching plan to drive transition. Changes should not be made in isolation. An overarching plan is required to develop a responsive public sector that is ready to meet emerging requirements. A starting point for this plan might include a forensic assessment of capabilities and requirements in each business area; in contact centres, corporate services, and of consultants, suppliers, and delivery partners.

Mike Turley, head of the public sector practice at Deloitte said: “Our research finds that the transformation required by the public sector should be underpinned by better utilisation of the workforce. The effective development of people and the workforce is essential if public sector organisations are to implement policy and deliver public services efficiently in the future.”

Find out more and download the 'Bold moves' report.

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Notes

About Bold Moves 

Deloitte conducted a series of interview with senior figures in 10 central and regional government organisations. Deloitte interviewed Human Resources Directors (or their equivalent) together with a smaller sample of managers with delivery responsibilities.

About Deloitte’s public sector practice
Deloitte’s public sector practice works closely with both central and local Government departments. At any one time Deloitte’s consulting practice has approximately 1500 people engaged in public sector projects.

About Deloitte
In this press release references to Deloitte are references to Deloitte & Touche LLP which is among the country’s leading professional services firms, providing audit, tax, consulting and corporate finance services. Deloitte & Touche LLP is the United Kingdom member firm of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu (‘DTT’), a Swiss Verein whose member firms are separate and independent legal entities.  Neither DTT nor any of its member firms has any liability for each other’s omissions.  Services are provided by member firms or their subsidiaries and not by DTT.  Deloitte & Touche LLP is authorised and regulated by the Financial Services Authority.  The information contained in this press release is correct at the time of going to press.

www.deloitte.co.uk/boldmoves