Grasping the nettle - how to achieve value from radical transformation

Everyone knows that local public service providers, councils in particular, need to change radically.

Many public sector bodies have therefore undertaken or are about to undertake major transformation programmes, but such programmes often fail or under-deliver as organisations struggle with issues of leadership, capacity and methodology.

The latest Socitm briefing (attached) outlines a new methodology developed by Birmingham City Council and used by them successfully to deliver £60m of recurring annual efficiency savings. CHAMPS2 is a highly effective business process improvement method which focuses on outcomes - such as business case implementation, benefits realisation, post project 'embedding' activities and culture change - rather than inputs.

The alternative to running a successful transformation programme is 'slash and burn', which at least has the merit of producing predictable and measurable results, even if the results are drastic cuts to services and continuing inefficiencies in delivering those that remain. I strongly recommend you and your colleagues examine the case for CHAMPS2, and I would be pleased to discuss how you might achieve buy-in for its adoption by your organisation. Please reply to this email or call me on 0845 241 2770.