5.9 Business management
In February 2008, the Director-General initiated a strategy and budget alignment review. The review is designed to ensure the Department's budget allocation and its strategic direction are aligned. In achieving that, the Department also needs to balance its budget over the next three years.
The Department has done much to improve its business. A series of initiatives, including programmes focused on value for money, cost of outputs, support systems, and a new remuneration system have provided a firm base. This review is designed to build on these previous initiatives.
Key areas of focus for the review include scoping the amount of service and support needed, assessing where change is required to the Department's current functioning, and identifying where savings will be made.
The review is being led by general managers with the involvement of the Public Service Association. The Director-General is scheduled to sign-off the final report in late May 2008, with implementation to follow in June 2008.
In addition to the review, the Department continues to improve its management systems, such as financial management and control systems, the asset management information system, and the natural heritage management system, including improving the ability of these systems to support identifying conservation priorities, and to monitor and report on them.
Actions in 2008-2009
The focus will be on:
- Completing the implementation of the review findings to ensure the long-term financial viability of the Department.
- Integrating financial and non-financial reporting, to enable better output monitoring and management of appropriations and outcomes.
- Encouraging the use of activity-based management to promote best practice and efficient use of resources.
- Improving the integration of the financial system with other departmental operational systems.
Links to State Services Development Goal: 3 Value-for-money State Services
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