Finance Strategic Plan 2011-2014
Secretary's Message
Positioning Statements
Introduction
how this plan brings it together
finance behaviours
Over the next three years, we will aspire to achieve the following
building our capability
governance
governance and planning
Secretary's Message
I am pleased to present to you the Finance Strategic Plan 2011–2014.
This plan sets down the direction in which we are heading and where we need to position ourselves to provide the best possible contribution to government and to the APS.
The plan outlines the strong alignment between our purpose, our direction and the way in which we go about our business, highlighting how we will work together and with others to achieve this alignment.
We are well respected for the quality of our advice and services and we can build on these strengths to make an even greater contribution.
I see opportunities for us to strengthen our positive culture, work more collaboratively, achieve excellence in service delivery and policy, and positively influence and contribute across the APS.
I look forward to working with all of you in responding to these challenges.
David Tune
March 2011
Positioning Statements
Our four positioning statements below capture and promote what we are trying to achieve across culture, collaboration, excellence and influence.
Culture – a great place to work where great work is done
This is about building on our positive culture and the strong commitment we have to supporting our staff.
Collaboration – engaging with others to deliver better outcomes
This is about taking the opportunity to focus on greater collaboration by committing to engaging more effectively within Finance, across the APS and throughout the broader community.
Excellence – being the best that we can be
This is about striving for excellence in policy, service delivery, and in everything that we do.
Influence – respected for the difference we make
This is about how, as a central agency, we have a unique opportunity to broaden our influence, to have an impact and to make a valuable contribution to government and the APS.
Introduction
Finance is well positioned to make a significant contribution to the government’s service delivery and policy agendas – a contribution that is valued by ministers and government, our staff, our peers and the broader community.
In doing so, we are building on our positive culture and our strong commitment to our staff, to our values and to the behaviours that make Finance such a great place to work.
In order to achieve our objectives, we are working more collaboratively within Finance, and with agencies and our stakeholders.
We are also ensuring excellence in our service delivery and in our contribution to good policy development and implementation.
And we are working more strategically to enhance our influence and contribution to better government outcomes.
how this plan brings it together
The plan sets out the way in which we will conduct ourselves drawing on the principles embodied in the APS values and Finance behaviours.
It sets out our four key aspirations for the next three years and the enabling strategies we will build to achieve them.
Finally, it details the governance structure and planning framework through which we will monitor and measure our progress.
APS values
Finance is committed to the APS values.*
Service
The APS is professional, objective, innovative and efficient, working collaboratively to achieve the best results for the Australian community and the government.
Ethical behaviour
The APS demonstrates leadership and is trustworthy, acting with integrity in all that it does.
Respect
The APS respects all people, including their rights and their heritage.
Accountability
The APS is open and accountable to the Australian community under the law and within the framework of ministerial responsibility.
Impartiality
The APS is apolitical and provides the government with advice that is frank, honest, timely and based on the best available evidence.
finance behaviours
We are committed to supporting our staff, investing in capability building, and identifying and modelling behaviours which demonstrate:
- Collaboration, mutual respect and productive working relationships.
- Courteous, respectful and effective communication.
- Innovation, creativity, and appropriate levels of risk-taking.
- A commitment to excellence, professional development and a strategic approach to achieving results.
- Personal drive and integrity.
*At the time of the release of this document, the new APS values are proposed, and are yet to be formally endorsed or confirmed.
Over the next three years, we will aspire to achieve the following
Culture
Our positive culture is nurtured and strengthened through:
- Being professional, forward looking and supportive of creative ideas and better ways of doing business.
- Fostering informed and appropriate risk-taking.
- Establishing clear roles, responsibilities and accountabilities.
- Implementing appropriate levels of delegation to support our decision-making.
- Promoting Finance as an exemplary place to work.
- Modelling and rewarding the Finance behaviours.
We will know we are succeeding when:
- Our valued behaviours are consistently evident in our approach to our work and each other.
- Finance has a reputation across the APS as a model employer and a highly desirable place to work.
- Staff benefit from rich and challenging development opportunities and experiences.
Collaboration
To inform and implement good policy and service delivery through:
- Fostering productive relationships and working collaboratively with key stakeholders.
- Strengthening our understanding of our stakeholders’ needs and expectations.
- Supporting line agencies in achieving the best possible outcomes for government.
- Simplifying governance frameworks and rules to reduce the administrative burden on agencies.
We will know we are succeeding when:
- Relationships with our key clients, partners and stakeholders are mature and productive.
- Agencies seek early engagement with Finance on policy, governance and delivery.
- Our reputation is one of a cohesive and collegiate organisation providing high quality advice, assistance and services.
Excellence
Excellence in policy and service delivery through:
- Providing a whole-of-government policy view on financial management and the implementation of major projects.
- Expanding our public governance and policy understanding and expertise.
- Ensuring our advice gives consideration to short, medium and longer term priorities.
- Empowering our staff to show initiative and adapt to change by thinking flexibly and creatively.
- Building our capabilities to ensure our staff have the necessary skills and knowledge.
We will know we are succeeding when we:
- Model leadership and innovation when implementing our own policies and practices.
- Guide the development of better governance and frameworks across government.
- Have a reputation for consistently delivering high quality services.
- See positive long-term benefits resulting from our policy advice.
Influence
Be respected for our contribution through:
- Giving reliable, evidence-based advice and information to help agencies and government achieve good outcomes.
- Providing improved frameworks for the development and implementation of good, value for money policy.
- Strengthening relationships with State and Territory government agencies, academia, and the private and community sectors.
We will know we are succeeding when:
- Our key stakeholders value our early contribution on major policy decisions.
- We are sought out to facilitate better government processes.
- We are respected as a trusted partner and valued contributor across government and the APS.
- We increase our positive influence on public policy issues and service delivery outcomes.
- We feel empowered to exercise greater initiative and creativity and take appropriate risks.
building our capability
To achieve our objectives, we will continue to invest in our key supporting and enabling strategies.
people
Ensuring our people are well equipped to manage day-to-day business while building and developing the capabilities and skills needed to meet future needs.
information technology
Delivering information and communication tools and systems that support stronger collaboration, policy and service excellence, and ensuring Finance leads by example in its application of government IT policies and standards.
knowledge and information management
Adopting a comprehensive and systematic approach to creating, storing and accessing information to best serve current and future business needs.
communication and engagement
Maintaining a flexible and responsive framework that supports Finance’s aspirations by guiding our approach to all aspects of internal and external communication and engagement.
risk management
Adopting an approach to risk that supports better business outcomes and ensures openness and transparency in risk assessment, management and reporting.
governance
Committing to an assurance framework that supports Finance’s management of risks, controls and accountabilities, and meets whole-of-government compliance requirements.
financial management strategy
Implementing best practice financial management to ensure that we have the resources to maintain and develop our capability to deliver.
governance and planning
In order to fulfil our four key aspirations through our day-to-day work, we need to be able to guide, monitor and measure our progress in a practical way. We will achieve this through our planning framework and governance arrangements to ensure a strong alignment with our strategic plan.
The strategic plan is the principal component of the Finance planning framework and links to our annual business plans, our enabling strategies, and the risk and governance frameworks which guide our progress.
finance governance arrangements
Our governance structure reflects our direction, our leadership style and our culture. It also recognises the need for a high level of transparency and accountability across the department.
The governance committee structure has been established to provide advice, governance and assurance across key areas of our business. The governance structure may change from time to time to reflect changing business needs.
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