HR Transformation

Martin Rayson
Tel: 0208 227 2382
Email: martin.rayson@lbbd.gov.uk

Annual Report 2009

During the course of this year I was asked to take on the role of lead on the HR Transformation Network. I was very happy to do so, given the importance of the topic at a time when the public sector is facing huge efficiency challenges and the contribution that HR can make to the achievement of those efficiencies and the continued delivery of quality customer services, is being recognised.

At the time of the 2008 Annual Report, I reported that the Network was planning, on behalf of the PPMA, to produce a series of “How To Guides”, addressing the practical issues around HR transformation, with a target publication date of late-2008. I also reported that to assist in shaping those guides, we would hold a workshop for PPMA members and others in the summer of that year.

Two workshops were held, in Loughborough and London, in June and over 100 people attended. The workshops were invaluable in helping the Network to determine a way forward. The view of those attending was that the PPMA could usefully provide some practical support, but not in the form of hard copy Guides. The Network went back to the drawing-board and have developed a specification for an HR Transformation Resource to support HR managers and others in public sector organisations.

One innovative element of the resource is a web portal, branded “guiding you thru” and based around an HR Transformation Roadmap. This takes the user on the transformation journey, beginning with assessing the capability of the HR function and developing a business case for transformation, through to assessing whether you have succeeded in delivering the expected outcomes. A number of on-line “How To Guides” will be linked to different points in the journey.

The Guides cover the following topics and a number of thought leaders have agreed to contribute to the Guides:

HR Service Delivery Models
Developing the Business Case
Culture Change in HR Transformation
Managing Stakeholders
Building HR Capability
Building Managers Capability to Manage People
HR Transformation in Smaller Organisations
Managing Technology & Processes
Measuring HR Effectiveness

On-line forums will be established linked to the above topics, where we will encourage debate, discuss case studies and enable people to pose questions and seek answers from others in the HR community and a number of experts.

The portal will also incorporate other features, such as on-line questionnaires and a virtual exhibition area, where approved suppliers can showcase their products for PPMA members.

The PPMA Board is enthusiastic about the portal and its potential to provide support to members. We are seeking financial support both from sponsors (and NorthgateArinso and KPMG have already pledged support) and from the LGA’s Improvement Board in order to develop and sustain the site. The portal will be showcased at the PPMA Conference and fully launched later in 2009.

In addition, as part of the HR Transformation Resource, the Network want to create opportunities for people to come together to learn and potentially work together on key topics.

There have been two Network meetings in the last year, covering the following topics:

Lynette Harris from Nottingham Trent University
South East Wales Shared Services Project and the New HR Model in the Prison Service – Simon Constance from Orion Partners and Will McLean, Regional Coordinator, Connecting South East Wales (Wales LGA).

In addition, with the support of the East Midlands Improvement and Efficiency Partnership, we held a HR Transformation Workshop. Action learning formed part of the workshop and attendees indicated their desire that further opportunities for action learning around HR Transformation be created, as this was particularly valuable for HR people from smaller organisations. One of the challenges for 2009 is to find a means to sustain this potentially valuable activity.

One way in which we might be able to do this, is by working with partners and we have looked to strengthen links to other organisations in the last year. We have had discussions with the IDeA, who have expressed an interest in supporting another potential element of the resource, peer review of transformation projects. We continue to work alongside other partners, such as the Fit for Business Consortium and Napier University Business School.

I would like to thank the members of the project team, who are working to develop the HR Transformation Resource:

- Shaughn Hall
- Simon Nearney
- David Vere (Development Partnership)
- Warren Wysocki (Eurekastep)
- Dave Goldsmith
- Martin Reddington

In particular I would like to highlight the efforts of Dave Goldsmith in seeking out potential sponsors and our expert adviser, Martin Reddington, who has devoted considerable time to supporting our Network.

Finally thanks too to Penna, Barkers, Leicestershire County Council and the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Borough Council, who have all hosted events on our behalf this year.

March 2009

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