The specific deliverables of the workstream address the following areas:
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Improved services and outcomes for citizens (more client contact time, the ability to visit clients in their homes, capturing information at source, improved timeliness of service decisions).
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Better use of accommodation and Council assets (reduce accommodation footprint, reduce the need for one desk per office base member of staff, dispose of buildings to raise capital receipts or reduce rental costs).
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Sustainability, especially in relation to reducing Councils’ carbon footprint (less commuting, less use of resources such as paper, reduction in inefficient accommodation, energy management).
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Increased efficiency and value for money (improvements in productivity that can be quantified).
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Significant HR related benefits (including reduced sickness levels, improved recruitment and retention).
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Increase in employee satisfaction (improved work life balance, and morale measured through staff surveys).
The various sub projects to be developed under this workstream will clearly distinguish between ‘hard’ technical solutions (including sourcing, proving and delivering technology) and the ‘softer’ change management issues (culture shift, business process change, new ways of working, governance, staff engagement, measurement, benefit realisation, training, communications, etc.)
Below are deliverables that the SLG have produced:
Exploiting Office and Vista for Mobile Working
In order to exploit the benefits of the inherent Microsoft technology stack in Vista and Office 2007, three worked example implementations were developed in partnership with Microsoft which provided the following:
Safety of Mobile Workers
Trinity Expert Systems and Warwick DC developed a protocol for capturing information about workers visiting potentially hazardous environments to alert central office staff to any potential risks.
Business & Culture Change
Shifting to new office environments that promote the use of collaborative and mobile working techniques requires a change in skills, behaviours and competencies. Mouchel and Newham have worked together to ensure that all managers are prepared for the shift:
HR Issues
Deciding who should be able to be a flexible worker is a matter for HR in most instances. Newham have some best practice decision processes which are enclosed.
Videos were produced of three scenarios showing how mobile working utilising MS technologies can improve service delivery to the citizen whilst improving sustainability and reducing Council costs.
