Lean thinking could provide solution for councils facing grim outlook on budgets says new Socitm briefing

Lean thinking could be a long term answer for councils coping with rising demand for servicesat a time when the outlook on budgets is also grim.

This is the underlying message of Lean thinking: embedding the change the latest in a series of twelve planned briefings from Socitm on the theme of 'more for less', culminating, at the end of the year, in a forward-looking view of the "Council of the future".

When applied in the local government context, lean thinking aims to achieve a flow of services that delivers just enough (and no more) of exactly what citizens need, precisely when and where they want it, at the lowest possible cost. Lean thinking removes waste by streamlining flows of materials or information, matching supply exactly to demand, maximising
process flexibility and resilience, and minimising variability.

The briefing explains how lean thinking tackles waste arising form these causes. For example, reducing uneven flows means people do not sit idle waiting for action elsewhere, and also eliminates overwork, which causes stress and leads to mistakes and wasteful re-work.

The briefing warns that successful adoption of lean thinking philosophy is not a trivial undertaking, illustrating this with story from "Loamshire Council" and its mistaken assumptions around "top-down" implementation, focus on individual processes in isolation and expectation of short term savings and "quick wins".

"This scenario happens all too frequently in real councils" says Doug Maclean of Socitm Consulting "Consequently, lean thinking becomes another piece of discredited jargon. However, intelligent application of lean principles means customers get better services, the people delivering them feel empowered, and work itself becomes more fulfilling and enjoyable. And long term, sustainable cost reductions in supplying services can be achieved".

Lean thinking: embedding the change is available free of charge to Socitm Insight subscribers and clients and contacts of Socitm Consulting.

Further information

 

Rob Adams, Socitm Press Office. Tel: 0121 214 1531 Mobile: 07726 360524 rob.adams@socitm.gov.uk

Martin Greenwood, Programme Manager, Socitm Insight
Tel: 01926 498703 or 07967 383755  e-mail: martin.greenwood@socitm.gov.uk

Doug Maclean, Consulting Manager, Socitm Consulting. Tel 0845 241 2770,  e-mail doug.maclean@socitmconsulting.co.uk

 

Notes for Editors:

From 2009, Socitm Consulting and Socitm Insight are joining forces to publish monthly briefings on issues of topical interest. These replace the individual briefings issued by Scotim Consulting and Socitm Insight previously. The theme of the first twelve issues in 2009 will be 'achieving more with less', offering advice to Socitm members on how to deal with the impact of the global financial crisis on the public sector. Briefings are available to Socitm Insight subscribers and clients of Socitm Consulting only