Public Sector Research - October 2022

Welcome to the October 2022 edition of Public Sector Research.

Leadership Series

 We have two papers this month in our Leadership Series.  Our first paper addresses the key actions people should take when starting a new role.    Starting any new role is tough.  Some people start slowly and gradually assume control of their area.   Alternatively, they jump in making several changes (any change will do) to demonstrate they are in control.  Neither of these approaches are ideal.  The first approach wastes time and allows much of the status quo (good or bad) to persist.  The latter generally creates busy work without any real focus on actions that would benefit the organisation and the team.

 When people start a new role, they have one chance to communicate personal values, set their team’s culture, establish trust relationships and build credibility.  There's a very small window to do this and there is only one chance to do this as a new starter.

Our Paper, 30+ MUST do actions when you start a new role sets out a plan of attack for a leader’s first month.   It is comprehensive, dealing with relational, operational, and strategic issues.   Want to be in control of your new environment?  These are the 30+ steps you need to start in the first month.

Got a direct report starting in a new role? This paper provides a framework through which you can coach them.

Our second paper in the Leadership Series addresses Transformational Leadership.   It describes five transformational leadership behaviours and outlines a method for turning these into personal habits.   The paper also explains how to grow transformational leadership behaviours in your team.

 Employer of Choice Series

 This paper explores the role of the Engagement Function within the IT team.  It emphasises its role in helping create an environment where people want to work.   The paper explains how the role of the engagement team has evolved from a break-fix support function to one responsible for education, planning and business case support.   

 Cloud and SaaS Series

 Have you heard about Software-as-a-Service (SaaS)?  Is this something your organisation should be thinking about?   We have two papers for you to help you understand the benefits of SaaS and the organisational capabilities needed to maximise benefits from SaaS.

 Our SaaS Checklist outlines 20 benefits the SaaS paradigm offers over traditional IT.   Every leader in business and IT should be across these benefits.  It is impossible to make informed decisions on new IT investments without knowledge of how the SaaS paradigm differs from traditional IT.

 Our second paper describes the 45 organisational capabilities needed to implement SaaS.  Yes, that’s 45!   We describe each capability along with a brief explanation outlining why the capability is required.   If you are using SaaS (and almost everyone is to some extent) and you haven’t considered these capabilities then it’s almost certain you are leaving potential business benefits on the table.

 Program and Project Management

 Have you ever heard of a failed business / IT project?  Most of us have because they are too common.  For years people have reviewed failed projects and, in every case, have found the project team to be at fault.   

 All the advice coming from these reviews still hasn’t fixed the problem.   The reason for this is simple.  Their analysis is wrong!   The project team is generally not at fault.   The organisation sponsoring the project was simply not ready to run a big complex project.

 Our researchers have deep experience in large complex business / IT project – having managed more than 20 major projects between them.  Our paper, 12 reasons why projects fail outlines the reasons behind project failure – reasons identified through hard-won experience.   

 The paper explores the wider organisational issues that undermine complex business / IT projects.   And the good news is, most of these issues are easy to fix.  

 If you want to ensure you next major business / IT project has a good chance of success then this paper is mandatory reading.

 Security

 This month the topic of security will be front of mind for all executives.  The Optus data leak will be discussed in every board room in the country.   Our Cyber Security Checklist should be an essential component in all these meetings.  This paper contains the 11 things that are the CXO’s accountability irrespective of where security sits.  Or if you are a senior executive, this paper contains the 11 things you need to care about, irrespective of who’s responsible for security.

 Strategic Planning

 So many strategic planning frameworks and methodologies are built for the private sector.  They are not all that applicable for government.   Our paper Common frameworks used in strategic planning identifies 11 planning frameworks that apply equally well to government.  The paper also outlines why government differs from the private sector and how that impacts the strategic planning process.  

 Policy and Procedures

 In the spirit of sharing Public Sector Research provides a monthly snapshot of best practice policies and procedures used across all tiers of government.   Have you been asked to develop a new policy?  Or perhaps you want to review an existing policy to ensure it is best practice.   Let us do the research for you.