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Transforming public services
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Posted on July 16, 2019 by Yvonne Gallagher
Have you ever had the frustration of having to provide the same information about yourself to different government services? Have you ever had to make decisions without information about what does and doesn’t work? Data is fundamental to delivering public services, improving systems and processes, and supporting sound decisions – but accessing accurate data is far from easy. Drawing from our recent report, Challenges in using data across government, I highlight here some of the difficulties, their implications and ways they can be addressed.
more… Right data, right place, right timeTagged with: Behaviour change Business operations Cross-government Customer service Digital transformation Forecasting Fraud and error Good practice principles Information management Information sharing Innovation IT Performance measurement Public sector reform Regulation & consumer protection Risk management
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Posted on July 4, 2019 by Sandy Gordon
Since we first published our Framework to review programmes in 2017 there has been no let-up in NAO reports on major projects and programmes, most recently on Crossrail, the Emergency Services Network and the Stonehenge by-pass road. From the need to manage the risks of untried approaches to signs warning of unrealistic cost estimates, this blog highlights some of the themes emerging from our recent work on major programmes, which have been incorporated into our updated guidance.
more… Major programmes – what are we learning?Tagged with: Civil service capability Contract management Forecasting Good practice principles Infrastructure Investigations Major projects Performance management Project management Public sector reform Risk management
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Posted on June 27, 2019 by Yvonne Gallagher
‘Cloud services’ can bring cost and performance benefits. But they can also bring new challenges and risks. To help leaders oversee decision-making and implementation of cloud services, we recently published ‘Guidance for audit committees on cloud services’. The magazine, Public Sector Executive, invited us to outline the issues in the article The National Audit Office’s guide to cloud services and has kindly allowed us to reproduce it on this Blog.
more… Cloud services: asking the right questionsTagged with: Audit Committees and Boards Business operations Cross-government Cyber security Digital transformation Good practice principles Information management Innovation Public sector reform Risk management Skills
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Posted on May 22, 2019 by Emma Willson
Billions of pounds of cost increase due to contractual change, delays introducing communication networks for our emergency services, potential strains on Army personnel – our recent reports illustrate the huge importance of getting contracts right, and what organisations need to do if they go wrong. They also reinforce the principles discussed in previous posts in our Contract insights series: the great value of information and the crucial need to act intelligently, get risk allocation right and take sufficient time to plan upfront for all scenarios. more… Getting contracts right and responding if they go wrongTagged with: Contract insights series Contract management Good practice principles Major projects Performance management Project management Public sector reform Risk management
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Posted on August 6, 2018 by James Beveridge
Over the past month we have seen widespread celebrations for the 70th birthday of the NHS, with the Prime Minister announcing new funding for a service that is both highly respected and at the forefront of voters’ concerns according to Ipsos MORI research. But many people don’t realise that 2018 also marks the 70th anniversary of the birth of the welfare state and social care as we know it, or – as our recent publications show – as we think we know it… more… Adult social care at a glanceTagged with: Financial sustainability Health Local government Public finances Public sector reform Social care
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Posted on July 17, 2018 by Amyas Morse
Hundreds of major change programmes, increasing demands on and expectations of public services, productivity challenges – and the massive task of leaving the EU. In the face of such demands on skills and capacity, Sir Amyas Morse, Comptroller & Auditor General, spoke recently to the Whitehall and Industry Group (WIG) about why the public sector needs private and third sector skills, experience and capacity more than ever. The NAO Blog summarises Sir Amyas’s talk about some of the current key priorities and what is needed to make the relationship mutually successful and in the best interests of people and public services. more… Risks, resources and government-supplier relationshipsTagged with: Amyas Morse Brexit Contract management Cross-government Digital transformation Financial sustainability Major projects Private sector Productivity Project management Public finances Risk management Skills
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Posted on July 5, 2018 by Abdool Kara
It is the 70th anniversary of the NHS and, like most 70-year-olds who haven’t taken good care of themselves, the NHS is starting to show its age and is creaking at the seams. more… Getting old ain’t easy: NHS 70Tagged with: Health Local government Social care
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Posted on June 29, 2018 by Max Tse
Evolution or revolution? Inventing new services or transforming old systems and processes? Transformation programmes are complex, ever-changing and face numerous barriers; so what does it take to be one of the minority of transformation projects that succeed? How can organisations’ Boards improve the chance of success? And what does transformation have to do with wagon trains? more… Successful transformation: voices of experienceTagged with: Audit Committees and Boards Behaviour change Cross-government Customer service Digital transformation Employee engagement Good practice principles Impacts Information management Major projects Public sector reform Risk management Skills
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Posted on February 16, 2018 by Sian Jones
Life-saving drugs, step-changes in energy efficiency, robots and amazing new materials that can transform our lives – these, and many scientific advances, are all the result of research and development (R&D). The UK funds £31.6 billion of R&D a year, and its success depends frequently on collaboration between a wide range of government departments, and with research councils, university bodies, businesses, charities and international organisations. As we look at the fascinating world of R&D, we can also learn much for all types of cross-government collaboration and coordination. more… Cross-government collaboration: lessons from R&DTagged with: Accountability Brexit Climate change Cross-government Digital transformation Environmental sustainability Good practice principles Growth Impacts Information management International Leadership Overseas aid Process management Project management Research & development Third sector Universities
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Posted on February 8, 2018 by Jonny Mood
The National Audit Office – University of Birmingham Tax Centre has been launched! So what does this mean for taxpayers – and for tax officials? The average taxpayer may never be aware of its role, but the new Tax Centre will help provide the all-important independent academic evidence useful to those making and implementing tax policy; it will provide crucial insights into issues such as taxpayers’ behaviours, the impact of making tax digital, tax evasion and avoidance, and customer service. As we detailed at the launch event, our recent joint work on Gift Aid shows how the NAO and the University of Birmingham can work together, and with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), to improve understanding of the effectiveness of taxes and tax reliefs. more… Who benefits from Gift Aid? Ask the new Tax CentreTagged with: Behaviour change Impacts Information management International Public finances Public sector reform Tax
Right data, right place, right time
Major programmes – what are we learning?
Cloud services: asking the right questions
Getting contracts right and responding if they go wrong
Risks, resources and government-supplier relationships
Getting old ain’t easy: NHS 70
Successful transformation: voices of experience
Cross-government collaboration: lessons from R&D
Who benefits from Gift Aid? Ask the new Tax Centre
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