North West Centre of Excellence

News Update

Week Ending 14th April 2006

NWCE Welcomes New Staff Member 

The NWCE welcome new Centre Support Officer, Catherine O’Neill this week.  Catherine will be splitting her time supporting the NWCE and NWeGG, so will no doubt be kept very busy.  A warm welcome to the team Catherine!

KPI Benchmarking

Thank you to those local authorities who participated in the benchmarking survey of KPI usage across the region. 20 organisations responded in total.

As expected, use of KPIs across the Region is in its very early stages.  Most of the organisations responding stated that they were planning to collate KPIs on a regular basis. However, existing performance and targets are still in the process of being developed.

We are currently considering the best way of disseminating this information across the North West and will keep you informed.  In the meantime please contact the NWCE for further information.

KPI Engine

The Centre for Construction Innovation has been delivering Key Performance Indicator (KPI) systems for the construction industry for over 4 years and have developed the KPI Engine, an on-line benchmarking tool to help you collect, store and report benchmark data for projects and organisations and easily present scores, radar charts and comparisons.

This easy-to-use tool can be accessed from any computer with web-access. All you need is an account, with a user name and password, to log on and start collecting your data. CCI are offering a free two week enabling users to pick up to 12 KPIs from the Constructing Excellence KPIs, including;

       All Construction

       Respect for People

       Environmental Performance Indicators

       Consultants KPIs/Design Quality Indicators

       Local Authority "Best Value Indicators"

       Bespoke/special specific differentiating KPI's

Complete the fax back form or ring CCI to set up an account. This will let you measure and benchmark the issues that are important to your business.

You can access the demonstration from here – just use the login and password demo. Instructions are available from here.  Project specific licenses are available individually.  Company wide applications are by negotiation.

Demonstrating Efficiency - 28^th April 2006, De Vere White’s Hotel, Bolton

The North West Centre of Excellence are holding a joint event with APSE on 28th April at De Vere White's Hotel, Reebok Stadium, Bolton.  The title of the seminar is 'Demonstrating Efficiency and Improvement' and will include a session by Sue Reid from the ODPM on Measuring the Benefits - Cashable and Non-cashable savings, a session on the shared services agenda and best practice case studies and workshops on using performance measurement to improve and to generate efficiencies. 

To view the programme please click here or for further information please contact  Keisha Adair at APSE, tel: 0161 772 1810. 

The Efficiency Challenge – The Way Forward (Conference) - 17^th May 2006, Warrington

NWCE, The Audit Commission and NWIN are jointly holding the above event. 

We originally told you this event was around Revenues and Benefits, however the focus is actually much wider, and will be looking at shared services and different ways of working.  This is an opportunity to look at Strategic sub-regional partnerships and joint working.  We will be feeding into the conference work that is already underway or planned across the region.

If you would like to attend this conference, or for further information, please contact the NWCE.

Regional Procurement Card User Group and Forum -

16^th May 2006, Barclays North West Business Banking, Manchester

The NWCE will be supporting the first North West Government Procurement Card User Group and Knowledge Forum. Driven by efficiency targets, process savings and accountability of the public purse, GPC Visa continues to deliver savings as it reaches £1.5 billion.

Topics for the day have been selected from the most popular requests for information from organisations in the North West.

Presentation Topics on the day will include:

       Implementation

       Maximising Card Usage

       e commerce Controls

       Line Item Detail

       Lodged and embedded cards and Travel and Subsistence

       On Line Accounting Services (OLAS)

To confirm your attendance please email Natalie.strange@barclaycard.co.uk confirmation of your booking will be communicated via email.

Framework for Better Deals Road Shows – OGCbuying.solutions –

25 April 2006, Urbis, Manchester

OGCbuying.solutions will be presenting this series of road shows to share information and update the public sector on the new range of its frameworks: how they are structured and how they will make it easier to source products and services, as well as comply with new EU legislation.  The events will offer practical assistance on how to use the frameworks, and offer the opportunity to meet key Buying Solutions personnel.

 

The road shows will help those involved in public sector procurement to:

       Understand the latest developments and progress on the Efficiency Review

       Learn about changes within the public sector marketplace, such as the impact of deregulation in the postal services industry and travel procurement

       Find out how the new framework agreements can help contribute to the achievement of efficiency targets

       Learn about the Great Deals initiative and its major benefits

For a programme of the day, please click here.

If you would like to attend the event, please click here and complete your details.  

If you would like further information on the content of the road shows, please do not hesitate to get in touch with Tara Fernando, Events Executive, through our Service Desk on 0845 410 2222, or by emailing events@ogcbs.gsi.gov.uk.