When machinery of government changes saw the creation of the Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities in 2020, a huge agency with numerous portfolio areas was created.
One of the greatest challenges in managing a change of this magnitude was staff training. That included communication of a message about quality services and programs that empower communities and improve social outcomes for all Territorians.
Shakira Baulderstone, Manager of the NT Concession and Recognition Unit of the Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities, has been part of that change management program, and embraced the opportunity to apply strategies acquired through the Public Sector Management Program.
“We became quite a large agency with numerous portfolio areas. While there were many induction and training opportunities already within the agency, I saw an opportunity to review that and see what we needed to inform staff about the new agency and the breadth of portfolio responsibilities.
I had viewed presentations from senior leaders across the agency around their different portfolio areas, and thought it would be great if everyone had access to this information.”
Shakira realized that, although there were processes in place to share that information to some degree, there was an opportunity for enhancement.
Having worked in both the non-government and government sectors, she readily identified how she could apply the principles and learnings from the program.
“The PSMP has greatly assisted in my day-to-day operations, both for me as an individual and also for me as a leader of teams.
“Many of the tools that we learned through the program can be applied in all operations, particularly for problems that need to be addressed by many levels of government.”
“Regardless of where you are in your career, the PSMP has value.”
She believes the timing of it in the world of COVID wasn’t always ideal, but it was still achievable.
Shakira shares her PSMP insights here:
Transcript:
Tell us about your workplace project, and why you chose that topic.
So, my project, My Agency Compass, stemmed from my involvement in change management, following machinery of government changes, which saw the formation of the Department of Territory Families Housing and Communities.
We became quite a large agency with lots of portfolio areas and whilst there are many induction and training opportunities within the agency, it was an opportunity to review that and see what we needed to inform staff about the new agency and the breadth of portfolio responsibilities we now have.
How did you determine your project focus and strategy?
So, I chose that title following my involvement in the change management program, which saw me, I was a viewer of presentations from senior leaders across the agency around their different portfolio areas, and the idea came about, wouldn’t it be great if everyone had access to this information. And whilst there are processes in place to share that information to some degree, there are further opportunities to enhance that.
What was the highlight of your PSMP experience?
I thoroughly enjoyed Public Sector Management Program. I think I’ve worked in the non-government sector, and I now work in the government sector, and the ability to apply the principles and learnings from the program has really assisted in my day-to-day operations for me as an individual, but also guiding and leading teams as a manager.
Can you talk about tools you used in creating your project?
I think a lot of the tools that we learned throughout the program have the ability to be applied in all operations, whether that be the Moscow More Strategic Triangle and the value and importance of stakeholder mapping, particularly for wicked problems, that need to be addressed by many levels of government.
What advice would you give to someone considering studying the PSMP?
I would strongly encourage people to participate in the Public Sector Management Program regardless of where you’re at in your career, it has value whether it’s in embedding knowledge you may already have an enhancing that further, and the timing of it in the world of COVID wasn’t always ideal, but it was still achievable so definitely take on the challenge and do it.
