We at Public Performance Partners have always believed in the important role of shared services in the public sector; going back to my time as State of Ohio DAS, when we opened the state’s shared services center to consolidate back office needs for several cabinet departments and state agencies. Working with local governments, I’m even more convinced of the power of shared services, while recognizing the importance of preserving local control and identity for local governments and schools.
Organizing governance around a shared service model is the key to success. Creating Service Level Agreements (SLA’s) that articulate expectations and recognize the needs of all partners are critical first steps. With that in mind, shared services can take on several forms, depending on the results of data analysis and benchmarking (hyperlink), including:
- Consolidation of some back-office functions
- Creating enterprise purchasing standards to enhance market leverage
- Taking advantage of existing services offered by one of Ohio’s many Educational Service Centers
- Driving collaboration within your own organization by consolidating redundant operations or systems
Shared services strategies – especially for non-customer facing engagements – hold great potential for improved efficiency and regional cooperation. Contact P3 today to start creating a more sustainable organization that invests in outcomes over administration.
