Online government toolkit plans to build up into comprehensive body of knowledge
The Cabinet Office has begun releasing a new body of guidance to help expand the use of shared service delivery models in government.
The Government CIO Council's website has published the first parts of what is set to become the most detailed and extensive public sector knowledge base on shared services.
The Shared Services Toolkit has been launched with a catalogue of around 40 separate documents, with further work in the pipeline.
The toolkit is designed to help the public sector tackle the strategic issues and challenges of planning and implementing shared services, as well as share experiences of proven good practice.
Material currently available includes a set of considerations for developing a business case, a 'Readiness Assessment Tool', sample IT system requirements, a draft communications strategy, plus international case studies.
It is structured around the main stages in the lifecycle of a shared services programme, from high-level planning and strategy, through to design, implementation and operation.
At present the toolkit contains sample documents provided by single organisations, but later will draw in examples of established best practice and successful approaches in the public sector.
It is set to include a detailed model business case for shared services, an overview of offshore outsourcing and example implementation plans, covering all aspects of technology, people and processes.
The Cabinet Office itself is currently involved in a project to set up Whitehall's first major shared service initiative.
The Department is working with the Treasury and the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to transfer their individual human resources functions to a shared service centre, which may take on work from other organisations.
Other 'pathfinder' projects to explore shared service issues are being carried out by HM Revenue and Customs, the Department for Transport, the Police Service and the Northern Ireland Civil Service.
The developments signal a wider shift towards shared services across the public sector, since the Government's Efficiency Review highlighted this as a major area for potential savings on 'back-office' functions. It is also expected to form a key part of the forthcoming Government-wide IT strategy.
Related Links
Link to the Shared Service Toolkit.
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