"Consumer expectations of Government services as well as others are rising remorselessly... They see the revolutionary effect of IT and want it applied across the public sector too. And above all else, the majority today are taxpayers. Government money is their money. They expect a return.
"The principal challenge is to shift focus from policy advice to delivery. Delivery means outcomes. It means project management. It means adapting to new situations and altering rules and practice accordingly. It means working not in traditional departmental silos. It requires a change of operation and of culture that goes to the core of the Civil Service.
"There needs to be a relentless focus on outcomes; clarity including the application of the programme and project management techniques that have transformed business; urgency including finding out quickly what's working and what isn't and adapting accordingly; and finally seeing things through until change is irreversible.
"The challenge now is to apply this approach at every level of the service, with results and outcomes paramount...Rigour about performance must be at the heart of a leaner more effective Civil Service."
Tony Blair, Former Prime Minister speaking on the Modernisation of the Civil Service and the Gershon Review on the 24th February 2004.
This speech heralded the work of the Gershon Review, the modernisation of the Civil Service and brought public sector practices into line with strategic thinking and modern day practices in the private sector.
Since then, the public sector has moved relentlessly towards greater efficiency, increased accountability, an emphasis on innovation and the role of technology, with the debate continuing on the implementation of current and future management strategies across Government.
With the publication of the new OGC Guidance on Portfolio Management, Ten Alps Events proudly announces our inaugural Public Sector Portfolio Management 2009 Conference and Exhibition to be held at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) at Savoy Place, London for a select audience of 150 corporate-level delegates.
The Office of Government Commerce defines a portfolio as “the totality of anorganization’s investment (or segment thereof) in the changes required toachieve its strategic objectives.”
This Conference comes at an apt time to review current public sector management practices, to define detail, providing clarification and raising issues and problem areas for discussion in a closed but informal environment.
Utilising best practice case studies, Public Sector Portfolio Management 2009 will debate and analyse the key strategic processes and decision-making procedures that need to be in place in order to deliver an effective and efficient balance of required organisational change and business-as-usual operations.
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) at Savoy Place provides a fitting location, for this strategic level Conference, which brings together the most experienced and senior public sector strategists, experts in their sector and exemplars of excellence in Portfolio Management.
The Public Sector Portfolio Management 2009 Seminar and Exhibition will lead by example and showcase a selection of the leading products and services available to aid successful delivery, providing a platform for key industry players.
Public Sector Portfolio Management 2008 will provide a unique, interactive forum for debate of current Government strategy, process and professionalism and an insight into the challenges that lie ahead.