Tier 2 Policy Leaders Network

Transcription

1 Tier 2 Policy Leaders Network Sharing strategies for improving policy quality and capability 13 August 2015

2 Our Intent The Policy Project aims to improve policy capability and the quality of policy advice across government. Initiated in 2014 the Policy Project is led by DPMC in collaboration with the Tier 2 Policy Leaders Network (deputy chief executives with policy responsibilities). See This was the tenth working session of the Tier 2 Policy Leaders Network. We: received an update on Policy Project work in progress including the policy quality framework, policy skills framework and Capability Maturity model discussed strategies for improving policy quality and capability including Customs and Ministry for the Environment experience with SSC s continuous improvement proof of concept in a policy shop. Workshop participants Guy Beatson (Chair) Ministry for the Environment Struan Little Inland Revenue Department Deborah Roche Ministry for Primary Industries Paul Barker Ministry of Culture and Heritage Andrea Smith Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Michael Papesch Customs New Zealand Nic Blakeley Ministry of Social Development Andrea Schollmann Maarten Quivooy Department of Internal Affairs Rajesh Chhana Ministry of Justice Kevin Guerin Ministry for the Environment Clare Ward Superu Peter Galvin Ministry of Social Development Policy Project team Sally Washington Programme Manager Laura de Haan Analyst The Policy Project - Tier 2 Policy Leaders Network 1

3 What s on top what s challenging/exciting? (ice-breaker exercise) What s keeping me awake? What s exciting? TPP Social investment integration Local govt policy work and new policy framing Social sector investment change Income reports Iwi rights/ interests decision by 2016 Iwi engagement and sector integration Social housing Community investment v. technical Quality High expectations for quality of advice work among staff Improved NZIER scores People Stress levels in Policy Group Staffing issues Building specific capability Recruitment High engagement in building quality advice among staff Seeing amazing growth in some directors Programme management New roles High stakes policy work programme Driving our strategy to the concrete level Capability and work programme prioritisation Turning potential into real value added New role requiring more detail New responsibility as Chief People Officer International aspect added to role The Policy Project - Tier 2 Policy Leaders Network 2

4 Policy Project update Stimulating debate - HoPP talks free and frank At an IPANZ seminar on Free and Frank Policy Advice, Andrew Kibblewhite discussed the infrastructure for providing free and frank policy advice. He suggested that 'the difference between knowing the rules and being skilled in the art of providing free and frank policy advice is akin to the difference between learning the road code and being able to drive a car.' Read Andrew's speech notes here. Policy Project work in progress The group was briefed on key deliverables being developed by the Policy Project in collaboration with cross-agency working groups. These include the: Policy Quality Framework Policy Skills Framework Capability Maturity Model The group was asked to indicate where they could road test/contribute/participate in each of the frameworks. The Policy Project will be in touch with those volunteers. The draft frameworks and associated materials will be distributed to the Tier 2 Policy Leaders Network. The Policy Project - Tier 2 Policy Leaders Network 3

5 Policy Project work in progress Policy Quality Framework A cross-agency policy quality working group has developed a common policy quality framework and improvement tool. The visual opposite describes the elements of a great policy paper and associated processes. A draft assessment framework sits under and supports this. A rating scale is in progress. The overall framework is ready to be road-tested in agencies. Further work on quality panels (for commissioning, quality control, and ex-post review) including potential cross-agency panels is also being developed. Next steps: road test the framework and iterate based on lessons learned. Disseminate for general use. Thanks to the individuals below and their agencies for their valuable contributions. The Policy Quality Working Group Todd Krieble Ministry of Culture and Heritage Rachel Voller Land Information New Zealand Bob Johnston Ministry for Primary Industries Kevin Guerin Steve Cantwell Treasury Peter Carr Ministry of Transport Richard Schmidt Ministry of Justice Jonathan Ayto Treasury Spencer Clubb Department of Conservation Partrick Lindsay Nicky Niclaus Ministry for Primary Industries Ruth Shinoda Elisabeth Numan Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Charlotte defeijter Ministry of Social Development Veronica Jacobsen Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Grant Guillosson Ministry of Social Development The Policy Project - Tier 2 Policy Leaders Network 4

6 Policy Project work in progress Policy Skills Framework This is a high level skills framework to describe required policy knowledge, skills and behaviours. It was created through a cross-agency policy skills workshop using a card-sorting exercise. Rather than focus on competencies, this framework focuses on the mix of skills policy analysts need and allows for varying levels of competence/experience in each component (from novice to expert). The vision is for this to be used: By individuals to describe their policy skills profile (a calling card) By policy managers to assess the skills make-up and gaps in their team In recruitment and planning. The model opposite is a first cut. We need to: Reduce the number of components to an essentials list Describe each component and level of skills - from novice to expert Potentially describe policy archetypes (deep expert, engager, policy entrepreneur) Next steps The Policy Project People Capability Insights Group concur that the best way to refine the skills framework is for a small group to work intensely on it (e. g 3-4 people for 2-3 days a week for a couple of months). We are seeking volunteers. Thanks to the individuals below and their agencies. Attendees at the Policy Skills workshop Jonathan Ayto Treasury Kevin Guerin Insights Group Caroline Boyd Ministry of Health Carol Speirs Edi Szentirmay Veronica Jacobsen Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment Diane Hailstone Kaye Ronald Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment The Policy Project - Tier 2 Policy Leaders Network Patrick Lindsay Sarah Metwell Land Information New Zealand Nicky Niclaus Ministry for Primary Industries Anna Thomson Ministry of Justice Other work in the people capability work stream: A review of policy training See the visual records of this work stream: People capability workshop A policy skills framework Peter Carr Ministry of Transport Nicky Niclaus Ministry for Primary Industries Edi Szentirmay Lorraine Kamo Ministry for Primary Industries Ginny Urlich Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment 5

7 Policy Project work in progress Capability Maturity Model The Capability Maturity Model is an assessment and improvement tool to assist agencies to assess and improve the overall capability of their policy team(s). A draft lines of inquiry supports the tool. The overall vision is something akin to a policy PIF. The model is still in development. Reviews could be: A self assessment lite touch, trigger for a conversation on capability A critical friend peer based review Tier 2s supporting other Tier 2s to improve capability by sharing knowledge and capability improvement initiatives A capability assessment (internal or external). Next steps We are seeking volunteer agencies to help us: Road test the tool Refine and iterate the model. Thanks to the small group of Tier 2s and their representatives for helping to develop the model. Capability Maturity Model Group Guy Beatson Andrew Jackson Ministry of Transport Todd Krieble Ministry of Culture and Heritage Peter Brunt Malcolm Luey Ministry of Justice Nic Blakeley Ministry of Social Development The Policy Project - Tier 2 Policy Leaders Network 6

8 Strategies for improving policy quality and capability Guy Beatson and Michael Papesch shared their experiences of testing SSC s Continuous Improvement process (CI) in a policy shop. Nic Blakeley has tested the Policy Project s capability maturity model draft lines of inquiry. Customs Michael described the CI process and the journey from February until now. Phases Scoping involved significant SLT commitment. Explored linkages/relationships and resulted in two main areas of focus. Understand Explored where policy demand comes from. Included staff mapping the flow of selected pieces of policy work. Revealed that significant demand is internally driven. Trial and test put CI techniques into practice. Visual management boards and a more systematic approach to commissioning are being tested with positive initial results. Insights CI methodology, related data collection and the insights gained about work flow and demand within the policy unit have been useful. The focus on process efficiency has some limits; other methods might be required for improving the quality of actual policy advice. Coming up Michael will invite the group to Customs for a walk through to see the method in action. The Policy Project - Tier 2 Policy Leaders Network 7

9 Strategies for improving policy quality and capability MfE explored SSC s CI approach but decided not to continue beyond the initial scoping phase. MfE already had significant effort focused on improving areas such as commissioning, time management, policy quality (including ex-ante and ex-post panels). The CI process was deemed not to offer more than what was already in train (which is often self-driven by staff such as the quality academy ). Insights MfE has achieved results by an internal approach involving topdown ( this is what we trying to achieve ) and bottom up (asking staff where processes and tools could be improved and allowing them to drive the process). Improvement strategies are continuous it is a journey not a destination. Ministry for Social Development Nic Blakeley used the draft Capability Maturity Model lines of inquiry (see previous page) at a policy managers away day as a framework for a conversation about capability and improvement initiatives. Insights The CMM was helpful and has potential use as a policy PIF. For further discussion: How might we include the benefits of the CI process in the developing CMM? The Policy Project - Tier 2 Policy Leaders Network 8

10 Coming up CE Sponsor Group meeting On 7 September the CE Sponsor Group is meeting. The group will review the Policy Project s progress and direction. Next Tier 2 Policy Leaders session 24 September, 3:30 5 pm at The Treasury, Level 5 Topic: TBC We will be in touch with those of you who volunteered to contribute to the further development of the Policy Project frameworks. For further information Sally.Washington@dpmc.govt.nz The Policy Project - Tier 2 Policy Leaders Network 9