The Public Sector Commission (PSC) has announced that the second group of Departments to be reviewed under the two-year Agency Capability Review Program have been chosen with the Departments of Finance; Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries; and Planning, Lands and Heritage to be put through their paces during the rest of 2022.
According to the Commission, the trials the Departments face assess how much they provide proactive, consistent, regular and comprehensive ‘health checks’ of the overall capability of the public sector.
“Each review is undertaken by an independent lead reviewer with staff at all levels in the Departments able to contribute and provide input,” the PSC said.
“The three Departments vary in size, operating contexts, functions, metropolitan and regional presence as well as the government priorities for which they are responsible,” it said.
“This ensures a robust test of the review process and agency capability framework.”
It said that each review enables Department leaders to make evidence- based decisions on where to focus their efforts to improve performance and deliver even better services for Western Australians, while also enabling information to be shared across the sector on what works well.
It said the trial began in 2021 and is to continue to June 2023 through eight reviews of Government Departments.
The Departments of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions; Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety; and Water and Environmental Regulation were reviewed last year with the remaining two departments to be announced towards the end of this year.
The PSC said the Agency Capability Review Program was different from many undertaken in recent years and by other statutory bodies.
It said it was a proactive approach to continuously improving Government services for Western Australians.
“A review considers what is working well in an Agency and where improvements need to be made,” it said.
“It aims to help each Agency improve performance and, by sharing this information, lead to improved performance across the sector.”
The PSC said the program was not about cutting costs or reducing staff numbers, nor was it an audit or a compliance check.
“The program is about reviewing capabilities in Agencies to boost overall performance and ensure they are prepared for the future.”
Full detail of the Agency Capability Review Program can be accessed on the PSC website at this PS News link.
