OVERVIEW
Contemporary shared services promise dramatic improvements in both efficiency, and effectiveness – and ultimately the transformation of government services. Yet the experience of public sector organizations with shared services is varied. Some organizations have mastered important elements, from planning through implementation and management. Others, in contrast, struggle to define objectives, develop business cases, negotiate the political environment, and provide the leadership required for success. Many executives have gained keen insights into these challenges and are eager to share, compare and learn from peers and industry leaders how to marshal their best efforts for success.
At the Leadership for a Networked World Program, we are committed to working with senior executives in government to clarify the critical options and choices they now face for shared services – whether within their own organizations, or across jurisdictions, or in multi-sector alliances. The session will engage faculty from the Kennedy School of Government and Harvard University, leading practitioners, and industry experts to share insights and address issues such as:
- Defining a shared services initiative: What exactly do we mean by "shared services" and what are the relevant taxonomies, models, and frameworks? How is shared services value created and communicated?
- Assessing shared services readiness: What are the political barriers and enablers of shared services and how do leaders assemble and sustain support? What capabilities, culture, organizational design, and sponsorship are needed to ensure readiness?
- Governing a shared services enterprise: How should the shared services enterprise be governed? What are the tradeoffs to be made between using hierarchical authority versus negotiation among peers?
- Financing and funding of shared services: What are the current trends in financial models for shared services? How should the financing model be communicated to legislatures, executive bodies, and agencies?
- Implementing new technologies for shared services: How are SOA and other architectures changing the promise and potential, and what should leaders now know about designing, implementing and managing such efforts.
- Measuring and communicating shared services results: What metrics are needed and how should results be assessed, tracked, and communicated to partners and constituents?
This session is designed to connect participants to a community of practitioners that will continue to extend the knowledge and support base required for gaining maximum value from shared services opportunities. This program is generously supported by Accenture and Microsoft.
