Governing the City State - Chief Minister and Treasury Directorate ...

A small, but important issue that emerged in consultations was the positioning of SharedServices as an intermediary, rather than facilitator and supporter of the ACTPS. The viewwas expressed along the lines of “Shared Services are us, they are not separate from us”.This approach is also manifested on project signs which indicate Procurement Solutions hasownership of the project as client rather than the sponsoring agency. In any event, under thesingle ACTPS and branding policy outlined in Chapter 3, the Review recommends the projectsponsor should in the future be identified simply as the ACT Government.An alternative formulation of the sort of service ACTPS managers are seeking from SharedServices is evident in an expressed preference for Shared Services to operate as a serviceenabler facilitating the work of Directorates rather than a service determiner imposing rigidboilerplate procedures on projects.The Expenditure Review and Evaluation Committee has already commenced a number ofreview processes that address the issues raised in consultations and Submissions in relation toShared Services, the funding model, procurement and personnel management. Theseprocesses should be brought to an early conclusion, but only after reallocation ofresponsibilities has been completed. In this context, the Review notes the QueenslandGovernment has recently published a review of its shared services arrangements, which whiledirected at a larger and more complex organisation, contains findings and principles ofrelevance to the ongoing work of ACT Shared Services. 194In relation to template contracts, further work on developing a more flexible and scalablebusiness model which, while not reducing appropriate transparency and accountability ofbusiness processes, would allow for a more risk based allocation of resources and expertise isrequired. This might range, for example, from a basic “tender and contract issue” service tomore complex and integrated contract and project management services on more complexprojects. The standard suite of contracts to be available might include: simple letter ofagreement; Traditional Lump Sum Fixed Price, Project Management, Guaranteed MaximumPrice, Managing Contractor; Design and Construct, Alliance, and Construction Management,as a minimum. Procurement Solutions need to ensure that Directorates are aware of theavailability and content of these contracts such as liquidated damages and provide expertadvice as to the fitness for purpose contract and clauses for each project. The suite ofcontracts should be regularly benchmarked against other jurisdictions and the private sector.InTACT CapacityThere was a consensus in internal consultations that the single ICT provider and platformdelivered by InTACT for the ACTPS creates significant synergies and efficiencies.Furthermore, the general sense is that the basic desktop IT provision and support is of asuitable standard. Concerns were expressed, however, about delays in developing a whole ofgovernment ICT Strategic Plan – work which is now nearing completion.194 See http://www.publicworks.qld.gov.au/Documents/Shared_Services_Review30Sep2010.pdfAdministrative Arrangements Changes: 137