Organisational Development - Medium Term Strategy
To become and remain a leading sustainable development agency, MAF must be a "capable organisation" − continuously focused on equipping its people with the right tools and delivering the right solutions so they can deliver the required outcomes for New Zealand. MAF will work with other agencies, in a manner consistent with the Development Goals for the State Services5 to address its organisational development needs.
Becoming a capable organisation requires MAF to be consistent in identifying and following a "MAF way" of doing things so that we embed organisational learning and knowledge. MAF also needs to build a common set of corporate systems and processes which enable managers and staff to better deliver on MAF's outputs and achieve its outcomes.
Over the next three to five years MAF's organisational development strategy will focus on three key initiatives − leadership, people and support.
Leadership
Ensure staff and stakeholders understand MAF's priorities, recognise what will be important to MAF's success and how progress will be assessed.
Key work programmes
- Support MAF's leadership team to make informed evidence based decisions − establishment of the new Strategy and Performance Group, improve planning and budgeting capability, and develop a robust set of performance measures and targets.
- Develop a relationship management strategy.
- Drive a common understanding of, and support for, leadership in MAF.
People
Develop, recruit and retain staff with the right skills, attributes and approach needed for MAF's success - "MAF, a great place to work".
Key work programmes
- Implement the MAF capability development strategy for managers and staff.
- Conduct a MAF-wide employee engagement survey and train managers to respond effectively to the results.
- Put in place a comprehensive competency framework for all levels in the organisation so as to assess and develop the internal skills base.
- Work with staff and their representatives to build effective workplace relationships6.
Support
Provide the tools, support, systems and processes to ensure staff succeed by working smarter rather than harder.
Key work programmes
- Provide managers with access to the professional support needed to effectively
carry out all their management duties through initiatives such as:
- Solutions to knowledge management, financial management and human resources management challenges.
- IT and telecommunications platform and strategy supporting all staff, wherever located, to work efficiently and effectively.
- Risk, project and change management systems and processes.
- Put in place an organisational communications strategy.
- Manage the procurement of goods and services and the associated risks more effectively.
The critical risks and issues associated with this organisational development strategy are:
Achieving an appropriate balance between operational and capability development work programmes
Many operational and capability projects depend on the same people to lead, work and implement them. Good planning is required to identify potential conflicts and phase projects appropriately. This begins with the scrutiny of all management unit budgets and plans to ensure there is a common understanding of organisational priorities. Together with improved project planning and management capability this should allow issues to be identified early and resolved.
Benefit Realisation
Developing and rolling out new systems and processes is only part of what is needed. It is also critical to clearly identify the realisable benefits and the changes to work practices and attitudes required to achieve those benefits.
Along with improved project management systems and processes, MAF has developed a change management tool kit to help managers. It is intended to roll these out through project management and manager development training.
Embedding Change
Improving performance will require individuals and teams to change current work practices. Some people will need to learn new ways of working while managing challenging workloads. MAF's leaders and managers will need to devote considerable time and effort to people leadership to support their staff through these changes.
Contact for Enquiries
Strategy and Performance Group
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Pastoral House
25 The Terrace
PO Box 2526, Wellington
Tel: +64 4 894 0100
Fax: +64 4 894 0738
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