Kansas Department of Administration 2006 Annual Report.pdf

The D of A values, "Character, Commitment, Communication,
and Credibility," are keys to this change. One of the ways the
Department Leadership Team chose to put those values into
action was by changing the way they interacted with ASTRA, the
Agency STARS Rapport Association.
ASTRA provides a forum for state agencies to discuss statewide
financial management issues, as well as other issues which touch
on the management of state agencies, including purchasing,
facilities, and personnel.
Since its inception in 1991, the divisions of D of A have appeared
before ASTRA individually, often spread out across a day long
agenda. For instance, in February, 2006, the Division of
Facilities Management appeared first on the agenda, while the
Division of Purchases did not appear until the end of the day.
At the next meeting in May, however, the Department of Administration appeared as a
team. This not only eliminated the past problems involving questions from participants not
receiving complete answers from individual Directors, it also presented D of A as an
agency, rather than a collection of Divisions.
While this change may seem minor, it demonstrates the deep commitment D of A has to
breaking down barriers not only between the Department and other agencies, but between
individual divisions. Shared Services means each division works together, and decisions
don't just reflect the character or credibility of Personnel Services or Accounts & Reports,
but of the Department of Administration.
The process, described in previous annual reports, which began with individual divisions
making decisions in full communication with their customers, has become a part of the D
of A culture. Now, it is not divisions communicating with
agencies or making decisions on how best to deliver
services, it is the Department of Administration as a
whole.
As the decision making process has grown to touch all
divisions, Department of Administration employees have
seen their roles change, expanding to meet the new
challenges ofworking across agencies.
In 2006, the Department Leadership Team made the
decision to direct more focus onto D of A employees.
The change to a shared services organization, which had
been going on for three years, had meant several jobs
were vastly different from 2002. Making sure
Department employees understood the new vision and
were reflecting the Department's values was a key part of
2006.
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