The University of Sydney’s (UTS) Centre for Local Government and the Australian Centre for Excellence for Local Government have published a series of detailed case studies regarding the implementation of the Australian Business Excellence Framework (BEF) within Local Government.

 

In consultation with SAI Global and the Local Government Business Excellence Network, UTS and the ACELG studied eight Australian councils that have been historically known for being progressive and innovative in their approach to local government policies. The eight councils represent a cross section in terms of population, geographic size and demographic profiles. They include the Warringah, Port Stephens, Bass Coast Shire, Yarra Ranges and Hobart City Councils, and the Cities of Swan, Melville and Marion.

 

Each council was asked a number of questions which included:

 

  • What were the drivers behind the decision to implement Business Excellence?
  • How have you implemented the Business Excellence Framework? What resources and training were required?
  • What have been the benefits of adopting the BEF?
  • What are the opportunities for improvement both in relation to the Framework itself and how it could be better utilised within the local government sector?
  • What were the lessons learnt?

 

Findings from the case studies reflect that each organisation has a different focus as it works to continuously improve outcomes, and while each council begins on its BEF journey with an organization performance review, the continuous improvement programs in each of the councils varied depending on their identified strengths and weaknesses.

 

The case studies can be found here