SSLC Releases Report on Improving Shared Services in Government
The Shared Services Leadership Coalition (SSLC) recently released a report titled What Comes Next: Shared Services Beyond 2020- An Action Plan to Accelerate Shared Services in the Next Administration. According to its mission statement, the SSLC “advocates that the Federal Government accelerate implementation of modernized shared service business models to reduce costs and improve performance of common administrative and mission related functions on behalf of the public interest in competent, cost-effective 21st Century government.” It also focuses on ensuring the federal marketplace continues to innovate and remain competitive.
The report differentiates between what is working well in the federal government and what can be improved upon with straightforward changes or shifts. The report lists certain steps taken by previous administrations and the current administration that are working well. Some examples of practices that are deemed to be working well include leveraging the Office of Management and Budget (OMB)’s strategic planning and budgeting process, technical guidance issued to agencies, adoption of centralized services, and increasing professionalism and sustainability.
The report also highlights a few issues within the federal government that prevent it from innovating at the highest level or seeing consistent progress.
The report states that “Shared services is a business model for delivery of common administrative services (human resources, financial management, grant administration, purchasing, etc.), infrastructure services (e.g., cyber security) and common mission-related services (e.g., geospatial referencing services).”
The slow pace of IT modernization and the use of legacy systems is not conducive to the government operating at high levels. The SSLC report offers solutions and recommendations for many of the issues the government faces. These include:
Communicate a clearer vision and roadmap to the future
Strengthen integration with and leverage the full power of the Federal budget process to drive adoption
Strengthen agency responsibility and accountability for results
Enhance rigor and transparency in planning and reporting processes
Embrace trusted partnerships and greater transparency with industry business partners.
The appendix of the report includes statements by federal agency leaders who discuss challenges and opportunities in shared services implementation. One leader observed, “Shared services work really well where they are aligned with policy objectives.” Cybersecurity is an example of a shared service that is gaining traction because it is aligned with policy objectives of reducing cyber security risks.
