Ownership The core reason why programmes, projects and businesses fail is ownership. It’s unclear who owns delivery, the original “owner” left after 18 months, the “owner” has no control over staffing or budgets… So who owns a cross cutting programme in government? There is little point proposing new ways of delivering services if you haveContinue reading “Five quick things for the digital future”
Tag Archives: civil service
Westminster Thinktank Scene – 12″ Dub Mix
This one goes out to all the junior ministers being reshuffled in and wondering just what the hell is going on. Here are a few common tropes you will see come up again and again in Westminster. “WTD – Will This Do?” Most commonly seen as a response to a minister making a commitment whichContinue reading “Westminster Thinktank Scene – 12″ Dub Mix”
Being Served
We were discussing public service delivery on Twitter earlier, as that monument to techbro hubris continues its rapid collapse into the sea, and the question was asked as to why the UK has “digitised” so many services in a way that they are an opaque online form or call centre where hope goes to dieContinue reading “Being Served”
All the numbers account for years
The power of paws, no sooner do I write about the lack of any national conversation about digital when we get the modestly titled “A New National Purpose” from the odd Marvel/DC team up of Tony Blair and William Hague. Martha Lane Fox has set out very well the Groundhog Day feelings of those ofContinue reading “All the numbers account for years”
Policymanship
Readers of the late great Stephen Potter’s works on Lifemanship and Gamesmanship may wonder if the same techniques can be applied in government. The answer is “Of course!” Here are a couple of examples of Policymanship in action. “Cutting grant fraud” Ministers are very keen to launch a big new business grants programme which willContinue reading “Policymanship”
Efficiency
In my last blog post I said that whilst greater efficiency may reduce the number of staff needed it does not work if you try to do it the other way round, that is cutting staff numbers and expecting greater efficiency. But assertions are not evidence so let’s show the consequences of cutting staff withoutContinue reading “Efficiency”
Carousel
I have said many times that working for any large organisation, public or private sector, is like being on a merry-go-round. There is a constant sense of motion but for some reason the same sights keep coming round again and again. And here we are again with Francis Maude being commissioned to look at CivilContinue reading “Carousel”
Transformation as Euphemism
When we talk about transformation, especially digital transformation, then most organisations do not actually mean transformation, they mean “change” and familiar change at that. Transformation will be announced with speeches and posters, there will be cascades and all staffs. The seriousness of the transformation will be marked by the appointment of someone from outside toContinue reading “Transformation as Euphemism”
Slight Return
No sooner had I pressed [Submit] on the last blog post than this happens… My immediate response to this blog post was a sense of recognition. And not just in the sense that it reads a lot like a Hacker News comment. Stripped of the rhetoric, hyperbole, and political bias much of what is inContinue reading “Slight Return”
Woefully Unprepared
The Guardian has a piece today under the headline “Civil service told it is ‘woefully unprepared’ for Cummings’ reforms“ It is based on a report in The Daily Telegraph but as there is not enough money in the world to make me read the Telegraph we will have to settle for The Guardian’s coverage. TheContinue reading “Woefully Unprepared”
Mark O'Neill 