Public Sector Strategy Essentials

Description

This course will provide insight and understanding to create and plan the delivery of hugely challenging Public Sector policies successfully. It analyses the many, and often conflicting strategic priorities within the public sector, and how to reach a compromise, so that a cohesive and coherent policy can be created and implemented. We discuss the fundamental requirements of a structured, strategic planning process. However, it is essential to remember that strategic planning takes places in a wider political context, which is often in a constant state of flux, and subject to a plethora of interests and influences, so such strategy creation cannot be carried out in isolation. Understanding, appreciation and consultation of stakeholders is essential to the successful outcome of a policy, so that we consider in depth how to achieve this. However, a policy cannot be implemented without resources which need to be assessed, evaluated and matched to requirements to achieve the outcomes required, which we study in this course.

The course will wrap with a summary of the key learning points, followed by an action planning exercise with a view to apply the acquired knowledge and skills immediately upon your return to work. Post-course support is also available in relation to the implementation of your action plan, up to six (6) months following course completion.

What you will learn

Strategic Vision and Planning

• Strategic priorities: setting meaningful objectives
• The strategic planning process
• Incorporating the complex influences and interests in creating strategy
• Internal analysis

Politics and the Public Sector

• Anticipating and responding to changing governments and politicians
• Civil servants working directly with elected representatives
• Aligning and resolving conflict between political objectives, conflicting demands and incompatible priorities.
• Maintaining continuity of service standards

Stakeholder Identification, Analysis, Alignment and Engagement

• Identify all stakeholders and monitor changes within and between them
• Building relationships with stakeholders appropriately
• How to manage competing and conflicting interests and objectives
• Formulate a comprehensive plan to involve, motivate, engage and monitor all stakeholders, particularly as they change.

Resource Assessment and Allocation

• Assessment of the current resources available
• Structured evaluation of the groups of resources required
• Allocation of resources efficiently and effectively
• Getting the most out of each resource

Course Review

• Summary and recap of key learning objectives
• Action Planning