A key component of the Electronic Housing Code (EHC) pilot project is an overarching business process reform program, aimed at codifying, reviewing, improving and harmonising the processes that are involved in Council and relevant Agencies. It is within this business framework that the EHC pilot project will be implemented, rather than viewing it as an ICT initiative.
The business process reform program will build on existing models, including the Development Assessment Forum (DAF) Leading Practice Model for Development Assessment, the Local Government Managers Association (LGMA) NSW Best Practice Toolkit for Development Assessment and the Local Government BPM Essentials kit developed under the RRIF program. The objectives of the program include:
- Increasing Councils’ understanding of business process management and how it fits into Local Government ‘Leading Practice’ principles;
- Using the EHC pilot as a case study to increase skills and capacity to establish and manage a business process improvement project;
- Modelling and improvement of the efficiency and effectiveness of end-to-end DA processes within a Local Council - effective processes deliver exactly what process stakeholders need and expect, efficient processes deliver the processes at the lowest possible cost; and
- Tools and disciplines for accurate measurement and assessment of business process improvements.
Through the Role Model Councils, the business process reform program will soundly entrench EHC pilot project systems and processes in core Council activities, thereby delivering sustainable reforms to current business processes relating to electronic Development Assessment (eDA). It is widely recognised that to be successful, sustainable change must be embedded in the business culture and processes of an organisation. The program will also be able to be extended to other Councils and Agencies as well as other eDA activities.
To view the key process steps that will be addressed by the EHC Pilot, click here.