Dynamic main screen of Planit-Shared learning simulation.
The first Planit-Shared workshop has just been piloted in Tamworth BC. Given the pressure on all local councils to deliver more with less, the purpose of the workshop was to give all Heads of Service an awareness of the pressures on their budgets and the sorts of things they could consider for Shared Services.
The workshop was a real success. The enjoyment and engagement of the delegates was shown in the high scores and the feedback. Moreover, there was significant learning improvement and the messages that the delegates took away were strongly correlated to desired objectives as specified by the project partners West Midlands IEP and West Midlands Leaders Board. It is worth noting that Planit-Shared was designed, and indeed came over, as an honest assessment of shared services against a backdrop of improvement and efficiency needs.
“Superb workshop. Delivered in a clear way and incorporated humour into what can be a dry and contentious subject area.” - Delegate at Tamworth workshop.
Planit-shared is an innovative learning simulation (serious game) that is used in workshop programmes. Planit-Shared will help members and officers become change agents that respond to funding issues with new ideas and ways of working.
The learning-simulation models two councils. Workshop delegates have three years to develop partnerships and deliver transformation including shared services projects. And, like in the real world, they need to achieve this while dealing with a funding gap.
Proven Approach:
pixelfountain have used this learning approach over 400 times to great acclaim. Research indicates that we retain only 10% of what we hear; 20% of what we see; 65% of what we hear and see; but 90% of what we hear, see, and do. Learning simulation (serious games) based workshops create “real world” situations. They are active, and allow delegates to explore issues within a resource management scenario. Delegates construct their understanding of root causes & wider impacts, and share knowledge. The approach creates dialogue and builds relationships and brings everybody to the table, which ultimately improves performance through collaborative decision-making.
“Hopefully delegates should take away that speaking across all departments and with trade unions at the outset is very important” - Donna Williams (Head of Employer Services, West Midlands Leaders Board)
Who is it for?
The learning programme is aimed at key decision makers with local authorities and their partners, including elected members and officers.
Objectives:
* Awareness raising around shared services (for members, officers and partners)
* Examining options for service improvement (with one local authority)
* Exploring options for service improvement (with two or more local authorities/
* Responding to pressures e.g. Medium term gap
"Simulation was really interesting. Woking in teams was good and it was enjoyable to see how the results of decisions worked through the model." - Delegate at Tamworth workshop.
Shared services and Total Place offer opportunities to deliver savings, service improvements and better outcomes for the local area. Planit-Shared will help Councils to develop a joined-up approach that aligns strategic goals to real world improvements both internally and with partners.
To find out more visit http://www.pixelfountain.co.uk/
