Prioritisation
in the Public Sector
In the private sector, priorities are set based on specific notions. These are often framed within the answer to a few simple questions, such as:
1. What will generate most profit for the shareholders?
2. What will provide the best long/short term return for the company/investor/stakeholder?
3. How will this benefit the individual or manager or company the most?
In the public and not for profit sectors, the decisions regarding prioritisation are based upon less obvious cornerstones. In these instances, profit is not the currency, but service or satisfaction of the overall
raison d’etre is usually the governing factor. To add a further dimension, these organisations are often involved in a wide diversity of projects, which can make it very difficult to compare one with the next or like with like. It therefore becomes very difficult to identify those activities that have the most strategic value.
4-consulting
has developed a tool to help one of its clients, the Wales Tourist Board, to review their activities and projects more effectively and to assist them to prioritise these where necessary. This tool has allowed the organisation to justify these projects to their Board, and in some instances, to justify why they are not undertaking certain activities. To do this, it has been necessary to look at the more fundamental purpose underpinning the organisation itself.
By reviewing the impact of the project upon the underpinning objectives of the organisation, a strategic score can be calculated for each project. These scores can be very simple, or a more rigorous approach can provide more robust results. In the process, the basic metrics of the organisation can be reviewed and assessed against the overall activities of the organisation. This often gives useful insight into the true value of the metrics to the
organisation.
This strategic score can initially be viewed in isolation. However, they can be put into greater context by being plotted against an estimated cost for the activity or project. Once all of the projects are plotted, it is possible to identify those which:
