EURO 2024 Copenhagen
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1431. Reflections on the Opportunities to Innovate Policy and using Problem Structuring Methods to Transform UK Public Sector Organisations

Invited abstract in session TA-13: OR Innovations in Policy Making - B, stream Soft OR and Problem Structuring Methods.

Tuesday, 8:30-10:00
Room: 15 (building: 116)

Authors (first author is the speaker)

1. Martin Parr
Guided Systems Solutions
2. Sophie Jackson
Guided Systems Solutions
3. Adam Townsend

Abstract

In the UK our public sector services are described as being delivered efficiently. Each project will have been funded based on needs, but at a macroeconomic level there is great opportunity to make improvements. So, why don’t we make these changes? In part because it is difficult and the benefits won’t be seen by the people who deliver the change. There is also no enduring structure and mandate within government to perform systemic change, although there is a structure for audit – highlighting more focus on risk than on the opportunity. Transformational change is possible and innovation is achievable. There are many opportunities to design policy to realise significant benefits, but we lack political will and appropriate control systems. A simple assessment can be obtained by comparing publicly available reports from key UK agencies such as The Metropolitan Police. It can easily be shown that there is a wide gap between the mission for each organisation and what they deliver. In considering systems level improvements, a project will be examined using methodologies such as Soft System Methodology (SSM) and the Viable System Model (VSM). This project will demonstrate that there is a need to develop policy using systems approaches. It will highlight the broader opportunities that may be possible, and that transformational change can be delivered for the UK government.

Keywords

Status: accepted

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