The document discusses the IDeA Efficiency Exchange, a tool to facilitate collaborative knowledge sharing, benchmarking, and problem solving for local councils in the UK. It describes current challenges councils face in achieving efficiency gains and examples of notable practices. It provides a vision for the Efficiency Exchange in March 2011, including a culture of collaborative knowledge sharing, an easy-to-use technology platform, and a benchmarking tool. The role of Challenge Managers is discussed, who could help document good practices, emerging issues, and lessons learned to further support efficiency efforts across councils.

1. IDeA Efficiency Exchange & the role of Challenge Managers Dr Gordon Murray 24 September 2009

2. Your current perceptions? In groups of two discuss your understanding of: London Efficiency Challenge Efficiency Exchange (formerly known as the Efficiency Hub) Knowledge Hub Then agree two key words for each of the above Feedback

3. What do we know about Efficiency in councils?

4. Current challenges Use two yellow post-its Write your personal view of two challenges identified in councils in addressing efficiency gains (one per post-it) Place post-its on flipchart pages Scan the range of challenges identified by others Play ‘snap’ and cluster post-its in related themes/groups

5. Current notable practice Using two green post-its Write two examples of notable practice which you have identified (one per post-it) Place post-its on flipcharts against the earlier themes where you think the ‘notable practice’ is relevant Collectively, if at all possible, try to aim for ‘notable practice’ married to a challenge theme.

6. If I was in your shoes … Scan the themes/challenges Using two red post-its In response to the challenges, give your view of “If I was in your shoes ….” Place in the area of the relevant theme

7. What is the EffXchange?

8. Imagine a tool for … Comparative benchmarking on efficiency collaborative knowledge sharing what works and doesn’t work, but will in certain circumstances collaborative problem solving helping find the one person who’s thinking about the same challenge or has a suggestion which could help or enabling suggestions which could help someone else drawing on local government expertise in Drafting a policy, specification, contract ... mass on-line conferences, debates and ability to question experts …

9. Comparative benchmarking & support Metrics developed by Capital Ambition Technology platform being prototyped with Capital Ambition Metrics now being tested & developed with IESE for use with districts and counties Aimed at a national rollout Signposting to relevant stories documents and toolkit contacts with ‘Amazon’/’eBay’ type prompted suggestions

10. Collaborative knowledge sharing & problem solving Discussions with northern RAs on collaborative knowledge sharing/problem solving pilot Face-to-face events and web-based tools which facilitate sharing of problems, what works, what might work, and lessons learnt : Online conferences, Knowledge Cafes, Peer Assists, Hotseats, Library, Forum, RSS feeds, Wikki Twitter/EffXchange

11. Blueprint for March 2011 A culture of collaborative knowledge generation , learning, sharing and problem-solving in respect of efficiency & VfM A resilient user orientated, easy-to-use, technological platform which rapidly captures content in a diverse range of forms ‘pulling’ collaborative knowledge generation, learning, sharing and problem solving A reliable, robust and transparent web-based benchmarking tool which enables councils, and their partners, to easily identify and transfer appropriate good practice A passion amongst LGA Group frontline staff to capture and share good practice, and contribute to problem solving; and encourage others to do so too.

12. Best Practice Collaboration Allows users from participant authorities to develop and actively share best practice knowledge Self Assessment Data collected from LEC councils helps highlight where greater efficiency can be achieved. Peer Challenge Peers from other authorities review the assessment and provide direct feedback Benchmarking Authorities able to review their data and compare with benchmark data collated by CA Best Practice Resources Community repository of current best practice principles Efficiency CoPs Self assessment Benchmark Data Peer Challenge Efficiency Exchange Best Practice Resources

13. Social media tools Ingrid Kohler

14. Communications strategy Monthly liaison meetings with Capital Ambition Monthly liaison meetings between Improvement Services & Programme Manager RIEPs briefed and workshop held Some RIEPs have attended Capital Ambition peer training day RIEPs on the Programme Board CLG on the Programme Board Twitter account EffXchange

15. Communicating the benefits: will you help?

16. Key messages In groups of two Identify key stakeholders you have contact with For each stakeholder articulate a key message regarding the EffXchange

17. The role of the Challenge Manager In groups of two Identify the additional contribution a Challenge Manager could make

18. The Challenge Manager Ambassadors Documenting your view of good practice, emerging issues and lessons learnt (process & practice) Identifying ‘notable practice’ Warming-up the story teller, and signposting the EffXchange team to them Identifying emerging issues/problems posed If at all possible pick-up on procurement themes Contribution to practice development sessions Starting & contributing to Twitter discussions

19. IDeA Efficiency Exchange & the role of Challenge Managers Dr Gordon Murray 24 September 2009