Transforming Government and Public Services

'Jenner's book hits the nail on the head in these challenging times when every investment should make a difference. He not only gives advice on why you really should be focussing right now on effective Portfolio Management which includes prioritisation, optimisation, management and real benefits delivery but more importantly sound advice with 20 practical hints and tips on how you go about making it happen in your organisation. My advice is read this and act now, it is never too late to start..' - Paul Hirst, Head of Programme and Project Management, Departmental Transformation Portfolio, HMRC 'Capturing the essence of business change benefits is an art form with a strong practical edge. It requires an understanding of the underlying business and its cost and value 'drivers' and how any change programme might impact their work. As important are the risks that change brings. Steve's work has been a practical illustration of how clear business planning and competent project management can define and deliver cashable benefits to any business and to Government in particular. In my experience he is the leader in this field and has encouraged me greatly that we can change and repair the damage caused by repeated failures to deliver' - Andrew Gay, Chief Information Officer, Ministry of Justice. 'Rich in case studies and research from industry and academia, this highly accessible text makes a significant, practical and authoritative contribution to portfolio management at a period when the Government's focus on effective realisation of appropriate benefits places PPM professionalism at the heart of its agenda.' - Andrew Bragg, Chief Executive, Association for Project Management 'Stephen's book demonstrates a much broader understanding of the power of value-led portfolio management than the project label implies - in today's world of IT-enabled change he recognizes the need to continually manage the relationship between investments, programmes of change and traditionalA projects. Implementing effective value-driven portfolio management is a journey - realizing value from programmes of change is also a journey - this book provides a rich and practical guide for both journeys. Don't set out without it!' - John Thorp, author of 'The Information Paradox' 'Transforming Government and Public Services: Realising Benefits through Project Portfolio Management...combines three distinct disciplines - investment management (ensuring we invest and significantly, continue to invest, to optimise the 'bang' from our limited 'buck'); project and programme management (ensuring we deliver on time and to budget across the change portfolio); and benefits realisation management (ensuring we realise all potential value from our investments - not think we do on paper but actually do in our pockets). As this book shows, this is a relatively new discipline both here in the UK and abroad. The good news is that organisations have developed tools, techniques and approaches that others can use to fast track themselves to improved performance. This book distils the learning's from practical experience and academic research and as such it represents a significant contribution to the challenges we face in transforming government and public services in an environment of ever-tighter finances.' - John Suffolk, UK Government CIO