ICT consultation facilitation
The project issues
The e-Government Unit of the Cabinet Office was planning to publish ‘Modern services for modern citizens’ (working title, now published as 'Transformational Government, enabled by ICT') - a strategy document to drive ICT-enabled business transformation across government.
The e-Government Unit had established a high level framework for transformation and service delivery but the key to an effective transformation programme is to determine a clear set of requirements. The eGU recognised that the concerns of local as well as central government needed to inform the development of the strategy. They therefore commissioned the Socitm Information Age Group (SIAG) to facilitate and coordinate input from the local government community. We were asked to facilitate the consultation process.
The Socitm Consulting solution
The first step was to firm up exactly what it was that needed to be achieved. This rigorous focus on overall aim and output then led us to define the more detailed objectives.
The second step was to take those detailed objectives and put together an agenda – a carefully sequenced approach that was logical, each agenda item being resolved before we moved forward to the next item.
The third step was to run four workshops. These lasted six hours and were undertaken using Metaplan, a proven system for face to face consultation in large groups. This approach enables all participants to contribute fully, combining total freedom for creativity on the one hand with careful control on the other.
After each workshop we reviewed what had been achieved and fed the results into the subsequent events. This meant we could focus on different issues and build on what had gone before.
The benefits to the client
The excellence of the facilitation meant that participants were able to express their ideas freely and constructively, providing valuable insights into what it is actually like to be a front line service deliverer and what problems an IT strategy is going to face if it is to be effectively implemented. The eGU has expressed its delight with the level of detail, the width of discussion and the clarity of contributions.
Project identification
Client organisation: SIAG for the Cabinet Office e-Government Unit
Client contact: Adrian Hancock, Policy Officer, 07887 781612, adrian.hancock@socitm.gov.uk
Lead consultant: mike.westwood@socitm.gov.uk
Project no: 5395