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Vanguard News – March 2010
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In this issue:
The new book
Evidence? Just deny it!
Oneplace... a waste of space
Total Place: total con
Ofsted doesn’t help
Caulkin will be back
The front-line speaks out
Freedom in Swedish
Housing events coming up
Systems Fundamentals in Derby
Looking for an interim systems thinker?
Jobs for systems thinkers in housing and financial services
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The new book
I am delighted to say that the new case studies book is now available from Triarchy Press.
The publisher has done a superb job of promotion, inviting David Walker of the Audit Commission
to take the book as evidence that my ‘nostrums’ (as he described them) work. Will he read it?
Will he even be interested?
You can get the book from: http://www.triarchypress.com/pages/Systems_Thinking_Case_Studies.htm
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Evidence? Just deny it!
I am confident Walker will simply deny the evidence. The Audit Commission is part of the regime,
not an independent voice. In the last month we have seen ministers react to evidence of public
services failing, simply by denying.
One was Anthony Seldon’s address to the College of Teachers, where he said the emphasis on testing
in schools is destroying learning. The minister denied, claiming the test results as proof of
improvement. A separate study showed that parents did not rely on league tables when choosing
schools, casting doubt on government claims that league table position is the top priority when
making a choice. The minister denied, claiming parents do rely on the results. Another was the
report on Staffordshire’s hospital, which cited targets and cost management to be the prime
reasons for the hospital killing hundreds of people. Again, the minister simply denied, blaming
the managers.
How can we have any respect for these people? Add to these: the results I showed the then minister
for social care (in 2005!), which showed how compliance with the regime’s prescriptions created
high-cost poor-quality care services and, moreover, how costs could be radically cut while services
are improved. Ignored. The many studies showing how children’s care services are made worse by the
computer system mandated for use by the minister. Ignored. The evidence I have published on how all
local authority services are made worse by compliance with dumb ideas and bullying inspections.
Ignored. And don’t get me started on housing or health… I could go on, I often do.
David Cameron promises that the public sector will no longer be subjected to the terror of targets
and central direction if his party wins the election. In truth any new government has to take this
opportunity. We need to get ministers out of management.
You can follow the Seldon story at:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2009/mar/09/anthony-seldon-examinations
The league table story: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/education/article7029813.ece
The Staffordshire story:
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article7039285.ece
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Oneplace... a waste of space
Further to my piece in the last newsletter on the Audit Commission’s crowing about the number of
visitors to oneplace (the site where inspectors post their inspection reports for all local
authorities), we sent a Freedom of Information request to the Audit Commission to find out whether
what I was saying was true, that the people accessing oneplace are the poor devils from local
authorities who want to know what has been published about them.
The Audit Commission has replied: “The usage of the site is anonymous, therefore I am unable to
provide the information you have requested as this information it is not held by the Commission”
A fascinating admission.
Consider the Audit Commission’s stated purpose for oneplace: “oneplace will help answer the simple
question 'how well I am being served by local public services?'.” And Audit Commission Chief
Executive Steve Bundred said: “Our aim is for oneplace to become the first-choice site for anyone
seeking independent information on what is, and isn't, being achieved by local public services in
their part of England.”
As any fool know, finding out where visitors to your web site come from is easy; you won’t know
who they are but you will know where they are from. Given the Audit Commission’s purpose, shouldn’t
they want to know? Shouldn’t top management be obsessive about understanding whether they are
achieving their purpose? Unless of course they don’t care for evidence.
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Total Place: total con
Meanwhile, the truth is coming out about Total Place. As I warned, this cost-counting exercise will
be used as the basis for Treasury decisions about funding public services. As all systems thinkers
know, a focus on costs teaches you nothing and knowing how to focus on value drives out costs you
never would have ‘seen’ doing Total Place. Total Place has been a con-trick. Follow the story at:
http://www.lgcplus.com/finance/efficiency/fear-that-treasury-will-focus-on-savings/5011059.article
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Ofsted doesn’t help
A systems thinker writes to tell me she is working on a systems thinking intervention to integrate
health and local authority services for children and families. She wanted to find out which other
authorities were doing the same. Someone suggested to her that Ofsted (the regulator) might know.
She learned nothing from the Oftsed web site so phoned. A “friendly young man” said he would like
to help her, but asked her to email her enquiry so that it could be properly responded to, which
she did. Friendly, but not helpful – a management problem.
She waited. She phoned again. She was told that there was a problem with their online queries,
which was losing enquiries. She was urged to email it again. She did. A reply arrived the next day
which totally missed the mark, so she rephrased her question. This time the response was that she
should try looking at their website, where she had started! She then sent an email complaint and
received a speedy response, confirming receipt of the complaint...
Not only does Ofsted’s ‘help line’ have all the features of government help lines (they don’t help),
it is indicative of the fact that regulators are not concerned with improvement, merely compliance.
Again, little concern for evidence.
***
Caulkin will be back
Simon Caulkin, erstwhile management editor for the Observer, was awarded the accolade “Columnist of
the year” by the Work Foundation. The citation praised his “gripping well-written and insightful
writing” ... combining “depth of knowledge with an ability to bring alive whatever subjects he
covers”. Of course the Observer didn’t run this story as they sacked him last autumn in a cost-cutting
exercise. We need Simon’s voice more than ever. I am pleased to be able to tell you he’ll be back!
Watch this space.
***
The front-line speaks out
Following my inaugural lecture at Derby University I received the following mail:
“I just wanted to say thank you! I am a lowly frontline supervisor (I still like it there, despite
everything) in [the public sector]. After years of being vilified, almost criminalised, by high
management, the media and totally incompetent central government, it is so wonderful to hear from
someone who's on our side at long last. It is fantastic that there is an academic who can examine
the big picture, marshal all the evidence, facts and figures and speak to these people in language
they (almost) understand. Anyone on the frontline could tell them what goes on: any man, woman or
halfway intelligent child or even dog on the street could tell them, but they will not listen to
working people.
Thank you. You are a drink of cold water in the desert!”
It’s the kind of reaction that gives me a fillip. If you want to listen to the lecture, you can
find the pod-cast at: http://www.derby.ac.uk/corporate-relations/podcasts
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Freedom in Swedish
“Freedom from Command and Control” has been translated into Swedish and will be published soon.
The Swedes, like the Danes, went for ‘lean’ big-time and now the chickens are coming home to roost.
Big investments, poor returns, demoralised people. Vanguard people have been regular visitors to
Sweden and Swedish pioneers are learning about the results that can be achieved with systems
thinking. It is an important lesson for everyone who has been seduced by the ‘lean’ propaganda.
I shall be speaking at the book launch in Stockholm on Tuesday April 27th and Gothenburg Wednesday
April 28th. The arrangements are being prepared, if you want to register your interest in the
meantime, please email office@vanguardconsult.co.uk
***
Housing events coming up
The achievements derived from systems thinking in housing are immense; more housing organisations
are applying the principles and, best of all, the new regulator has developed a framework for
regulation that permits managers the freedom to choose methods and measures, the first regulator
to do so.
Vanguard’s leader on housing services, John Little, is organising events featuring some of the
leading exponents of systems thinking in housing. As John says: “Taking the systems approach,
housing organisations see their old housing management problems dissolve. They unlock unimagined
quality improvements at the same time as achieving jaw-dropping cost savings.”
You will see housing managers describing how they have developed conflict-free relationships with
repairs and maintenance contractors, delivering repairs to specific appointment times to the
amazement of tenants. You will learn about Real Choice Lettings (RCL), delivering actual choice
to customers that in turn lead to more sustainable tenancies; you will see how the systems
approach to rent removes conflict with tenants, increases collection rates and lowers costs.
You will be shown a different way of approaching planned maintenance, saving millions across the
life of the programme; and, naturally, you will see why government targets are rendered irrelevant.
The events are in Leeds (Tuesday 13th April), Cardiff (Thursday 13th May) and Brighton (Tuesday
22nd June). To register: info@vanguardconsult.co.uk
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Systems Fundamentals in Derby
The next Systems Fundamentals programme offered by Derby University is scheduled for May 6, June 8
and July 6. It is a three-day action-learning programme (you have to do work between the teaching
days). For details: s.smith@derby.ac.uk
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Looking for an interim systems thinker?
I know of a couple of Vanguard-trained competent systems thinkers looking for interim work. If you
are looking for an interim systems thinker to make a real difference, let me know.
***
Jobs for systems thinkers in housing and financial services
Housing:
A systems-thinking housing organisation on the south coast is seeking to recruit an Area Housing
Manager. If this interests you in the first instance contact Jeremy Cox: jeremy.cox@vanguardconsult.co.uk
Financial services:
Head of Technical & Compliance
You are an industry professional with at least five years experience at managerial / board level
in a high end IFA / wealth management practice. You are technically excellent and have a thirst
for continual improvement, qualified to at least Diploma level and preferably CFP standard. With
a very keen eye for detail and a can do attitude, you are seeking an environment where you can let
your talent truly shine. You will work for one of the country’s most progressive, boutique wealth
management firms and possess a passion, like we do, for service excellence and systems thinking.
You will benefit from a career path and an opportunity to grow. We offer excellent working
conditions and a very competitive package.
Email your CV to: tracey@fiscalengineers.com
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Thanks for reading!
John Seddon
john@vanguardconsult.co.uk
Author: 'Systems Thinking in the Public Sector”, available from Triarchy Press: www.triarchypress.com
and “Freedom from command and control: a better way to make the work work' available from Vanguard
(www.systemsthinking.co.uk).. “Freedom from command and control” is also available in the US from:
http://www.productivitypress.com/productdetails.cfm?SKU=3276
Vanguard Consulting: Developers of the Vanguard Method, helping organisations change from a command
and control to a systems design. Beware of imitators, as Vanguard has developed solutions for
sectors others claim to be able to provide the same service. If providers are not accredited to the
Vanguard Method you should not expect a Vanguard service.
www.thesystemsthinkingreview.co.uk A web-site devoted to Systems Thinking in the public sector.
Systems Thinking People – a service helping systems thinkers find suitable work and helping
organisations fund suitable systems thinkers. www.systemsthinkingpeople.com
Vanguard Capchart – simple-to-use tool for creating capability measures. http://www.vanguardcapchart.com/
Other Vanguard sites around the world:
Ireland: www.vanguard-ireland.com
Scotland: www.vanguardscotland.co.uk
Netherlands: www.vanguardnederland.nl
Denmark: www.vanguard-consult.dk
Sweden: www.vanguard-consult.se
USA: www.newsystemsthinking.com
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