tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post2325797422312055181..comments2023-04-06T17:12:42.978+01:00Comments on A Just Future: Fair for All: The solution is simple...Jon Harveyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12792245973965010468noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-80692569220821710592013-08-14T02:45:27.917+01:002013-08-14T02:45:27.917+01:00This is cool!This is cool!Tonyhttp://besttreadmillforhomes.us/2013/08/05/running-outdoors/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-33357941835892337112013-02-19T11:23:53.323+00:002013-02-19T11:23:53.323+00:00Mostly agree Tom - but I think we have to very car...Mostly agree Tom - but I think we have to very careful about applying systems thinking that derives from commercial entities where the focus is on the customer to public services where the notion of 'customer' is at least complex if not totally inapplicable. Whilst I admire much of the work of John Seddon, for example, he still adopts a rather linear transactionalist model of public service delivery. I favour one that is based on whole systems. Jon Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12792245973965010468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-84582155431647556502013-02-19T10:37:22.293+00:002013-02-19T10:37:22.293+00:00It occurs to me that in principle the new, non-tar...It occurs to me that in principle the new, non-target approach (lets call it systems management) should be applicable to all organisations including those who take up government contracts (outsourcing). Active systems management by enlightened senior staff could ensure those organisations are properly run; really delivering what the customer (citizen) wants. <br /><br />The problem lies in two key and related areas; whether what the government wants is what the customer (citizen) wants and also how the government holds the contractor to account. <br /><br />Government itelf has to be clear about what citizens want (more properly need) and, if it manages that difficult task, it could then check to see whether systems management is being applied (hard?) or set targets (easy) in order to ensure the correct outcomes.<br /><br />I think, therefore, that outsourcing might work given the correct systems management approach is applied through the processes in both organisations. However that would involve a lot of effort that might outweigh any financial gains and degradation of effective management and control of outcomes as the distance between the responsible supplier (government) and citizen is stretched.<br /><br />So, outsourcing is at best a risky venture and at worst a guarantee of reduced service.Tom Lloydnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-84038322606843351172013-02-19T10:25:08.223+00:002013-02-19T10:25:08.223+00:00Russell - where there is money (and ego) - there w...Russell - where there is money (and ego) - there will be gaming...<br /><br />I am all for an outcome focus - but I do not think that PbR is really all about outcomes... (as you suggest)Jon Harveyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12792245973965010468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1666579996787484678.post-59841451173265272792013-02-19T09:33:19.703+00:002013-02-19T09:33:19.703+00:00I'm interested in the way that lots of comment...I'm interested in the way that lots of commentators are keen to lump PbR in with a target culture given that in theory, at least, it is absolutely the opposite - giving providers the chance to be innovative and work in any way which achieves outcomes. Of course, PbR in practice has proved vulnerable to gaming and target culture but if we really want a better health service, we should be focusing on (e.g.) getting people walking again pain-free, not the number of hip operations...<br />I think the fundamental problem is that sometimes PbR is used as a fig leaf for a policy which is more about outsourcing/privatisation rather than achieving better outcomes. Russell Websterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09820699557943530038noreply@blogger.com