Public service reform is one of the major preoccupations of the three main parties in the run up to the next general election. In fact they all seem to be heading in a similar direction: greater citizen involvement in design and delivery; more local decision making, better freedom for front line-staff, combined with greater efficiency.
In Demos' report Towards Agile Government, based on research in Australia with the Victorian State Services Authority, we set out to explore, refine, and test some of these new themes. We found something which is part normative, part reality: the agile government.
Agile government means public services which respond to citizens' needs in the short term, adapt their structures and services to address medium term trends, and shape needs in the long run. It conjures up the image of an acrobat – flexible, quick and nimble, all the while maintaining balance. Here we present some of the best practice from Victoria, and highlight key barriers and opportunities for future
direction.
As politicians seek improvements in public services in the face of an increasingly complex world, the concept of agility can draw the emerging approaches to public service delivery in a coherent narrative, as New Public Management did before it. And more hopefully, it can enable the public sector to meet the challenges of today and the future.
Agile government means public services which respond to citizens' needs in the short term, adapt their structures and services to address medium term trends, and shape needs in the long run. It conjures up the image of an acrobat – flexible, quick and nimble, all the while maintaining balance. Here we present some of the best practice from Victoria, and highlight key barriers and opportunities for future
direction.
As politicians seek improvements in public services in the face of an increasingly complex world, the concept of agility can draw the emerging approaches to public service delivery in a coherent narrative, as New Public Management did before it. And more hopefully, it can enable the public sector to meet the challenges of today and the future.
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