A systems approach to performance improvement

SmithStrange is pioneering a systems approach to delivering performance improvement and Value for Money (VfM) within the public sector and, in particular, the social housing sector. The systems approach does this by understanding the needs of the customer and designing the best systems to deliver them. 

SmithStrange has an inclusive approach to consulting. We ensure you understand the systems approach and how to use it. Our aim is to facilitate improvement projects, delivering specialist technical expertise whilst enabling you to design and own the improvements that are made to the system, this makes our work cost effective.

Why is our systems approach particularly relevant?

Statutory consultation was issued by the TSA in late 2011, which states that ‘Providers should have a strategy for optimising value for money, and systems to ensure that this strategy is delivered’.  It is clear that Landlords need to be even more proactive in determining exactly what their customers’ want, delivering what they want as efficiently as possible and reporting this to them. The upside of the new regulatory regime is that Landlords have greater freedom to decide how to do this as long as they have effective performance management systems.

Our systems approach provides the framework for this to happen by:

  • focussing on the customer and what they want
  • enabling a coherent VfM strategy that delivers customer requirements
  • providing a proven methodology and tools to enable continuous improvement
  • encouraging the development of intelligent management information systems
  • driving efficiency and effectiveness throughout the organisation

What is our systems approach?

Our systems approach uses Systems Thinking and combines this with relevant tools and techniques from Lean Six Sigma (L6S).

Systems Thinking determines purpose and how activities interact through the whole system to enable the design of holistic, enduring solutions to problems.

L6S is a systems methodology which is the result of combining two powerful approaches to performance improvement – Lean and Six Sigma. Lean seeks to improve speed and flow in the value stream and eliminate waste. Six Sigma delivers successful process improvements which enable services to meet or exceed customer expectations.

The combination of Systems Thinking and L6S provides a structured improvement framework and effective techniques to provide solutions that create both rapid and dramatic improvements and lower costs.

We are currently working with Clearview to develop a Lean Six Sigma reporting capability.