Transforming Government and Public Services: Realising Benefits through Project Portfolio Management / Edition 1

by Stephen Jenner

Overview

'This book distills the learning from practical experience and academic research...and represents a significant contribution to the challenges we face in transforming government and public services in an environment of ever-tighter finances' ” John Suffolk, UK Government Chief Information Officer Major public sector IT-enabled business change programmes are designed to realize benefits in terms of more efficient services, services tailored to the need of citizens, and improved outcomes, but in practice such benefits often fail to materialize or we are unable to demonstrate their delivery - Transforming Government and Public Services provides proven tools, techniques and processes to reverse this trend. Stephen Jenner explores a number of key themes that are fundamental to an approach to project portfolio management built on value. He explains how to: develop a business case to achieve a desired intent rather than justify a particular solution; create project documentation that is both technically rigorous and gives users a clear understanding of where you are going; treat projects as investments rather than costs; include stage gates with teeth that are closely linked to real performance; plan for success rather than holding people to account for failure; use a single version of the truth principle so there are no arguments about different data. In a complex, confusing and often highly politicized environment, Stephen Jenner's Transforming Government and Public Services provides a clear, definitive and highly applied guide for all involved in selecting the right projects and doing them right so that they achieve the intended investment objectives.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781409401636
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	05/07/2010
Edition description:	1
Pages:	188
Product dimensions:	7.00(w) x 9.70(h) x 0.50(d)

About the Author

Stephen Jenner has 25 years experience in finance and programme management roles in the public sector including as a member of the Senior Civil Service since 1999. From 2005-08 he headed the CJS IT portfolio, a £2bn investment in modernising justice. The approach adopted won the 2007 Civil Service Financial Management award and has been recognised internationally in reports to the European Commission, the OECD and in a short case study by Gartner. More recently he has participated in the development of Portfolio Management as part of the Cabinet Office's ICT strategy and he co-ordinates the cross-government Project Portfolio Management Special Interest Group as well as playing a leading role in the development of OGC guidance in this area.

Table of Contents

Contents: Foreword; Preface; The case for project portfolio management; The prerequisites for success; Key process 1: establishing the portfolio; Key process 2: investment management; Key process 3: managing the portfolio 'in flight'; Key process 4: active value management; Implementing and sustaining progress; Measuring success; Conclusions; Index.

Editorial Reviews

'Jenner's book hits the nail on the head in these challenging times when every investment should make a difference. He not only gives advice on why you really should be focussing right now on effective Portfolio Management which includes prioritisation, optimisation, management and real benefits delivery but more importantly sound advice with 20 practical hints and tips on how you go about making it happen in your organisation. My advice is read this and act now, it is never too late to start... - Paul Hirst, Head of Programme and Project Management, Departmental Transformation Portfolio, HMRC 'Capturing the essence of business change benefits is an art form with a strong practical edge. It requires an understanding of the underlying business and its cost and value 'drivers' and how any change programme might impact their work. As important are the risks that change brings. Steve's work has been a practical illustration of how clear business planning and competent project management can define and deliver cashable benefits to any business and to Government in particular. In my experience he is the leader in this field and has encouraged me greatly that we can change and repair the damage caused by repeated failures to deliver' - Andrew Gay, Chief Information Officer, Ministry of Justice. 'Rich in case studies and research from industry and academia, this highly accessible text makes a significant, practical and authoritative contribution to portfolio management at a period when the Government’s focus on effective realisation of appropriate benefits places PPM professionalism at the heart of its agenda.' - Andrew Bragg, Chief Executive, Association for Project Management 'Stephen’s book demonstrates a much broader understanding of the power of value-led portfolio management than the project label implies - in today's world of IT-enabled change he recognizes the need to continually manage the relationship between investments, programmes of change and

From the Publisher