Monday 23 March 2020
A wide-ranging independent review of States Works has recommended greater use of technology and a redesign of current services to enable more efficient delivery.
The benchmarking and efficiency review looked in detail at the services provided by the States-owned business. It included assessing current levels of provision, identifying potential improvements, and considering whether some activities would be better left to private companies.
Red Quadrant, which specialises in transformation of public sector operations, carried out the review. The findings will help shape States Works' future operations.
The review concluded that States Works is best placed to continue delivering all existing services, as this has significant benefits for the island:-
- Building on the existing deep expertise and strong staff base;
- Ensuring the social, community and economic benefits currently provided by States Works are retained;
- Continuing to support a resilient and reliable emergency response resource.
Red Quadrant identified improved data collection as a key priority. This will enable more detailed analysis and monitoring, to better review performance and help optimise existing services. It will also inform future service development.
States Works general manager Paul Lickley said the recommendations will help inform a detailed five-year business plan which is now being developed.
"This review has been invaluable, and it is just the beginning. Over the next two years we will be working towards implementing its key recommendations, which will signal a significant transformation for us as a business. We will develop and improve our services, for the long term benefit of islanders.
"One priority is around the use of technology and associated systems helping to support business development, adapting how we currently do things and enabling smarter working. This is something that we have already begun to address."
The report focuses on the continuous improvement of States Works activities, to achieve value for money in the short, medium and long term.
The review's key findings were:-
- Greater use of technology and investment in new ICT systems will support service improvements;
- Staff should be able to work more flexibly, with additional training and support provided;
- Service level agreements with States Committees should be reviewed, with specifications based more around desired outcomes rather than established routines;
- Staff will play a key role in the transformation of the organisation and its culture, and there is a requirement for more skills in programme and project management;
- Alongside improvements in data, there is scope to increase the skills to support analysis and performance information.
Mr Lickley said States Works was committed to implementing the recommendations, which will result in smarter working, embracing innovation and technology.
States' Trading Supervisory Board member John Hollis, who chairs the States Works Board, said: "We welcome the review and efforts to benchmark practices and related efficiencies elsewhere as part of our aim to improve services in the long-term interests of islanders."
The full report can be found here.
