Case Studies By Service Area
Policy & Issues Management
Building Policy Capability
Establishment of the Building Sector Policy Group.
The Scope
The Department of Building and Housing was established on 1 November 2004. It brought together into one organisation a number of related building and housing regulatory, dispute resolution and policy functions from across several government agencies. The purpose of doing so was to improve and streamline the delivery of building and housing services to the public, ensure an effective regulatory system and deliver good quality advice to government.
Our Involvement
MartinJenkins Director Michael Mills was engaged by the Department’s Chief Executive to advise her on the new department’s policy roles. Michael was subsequently engaged to manage establishment of the Building Sector Policy Group and to manage a large policy work programme as Acting General Manager, Building and Housing Sector Policy.
The Outcome
A new policy group employing around 50 policy staff was quickly established within the Department of Building and Housing. Senior and new policy personnel were successfully recruited and existing staff transited into the new policy group. Policy functions related to strategic policy advice, regulatory design, industry issues, consumer policy, and evaluation and research were identified and established. A large policy work programme including review of the Residential Tenancy Act, review of the Unit Titles Act, advice on homeowner protection and weathertightness issues, review of the Building Code, and advice on occupational licensing was defined, resourced and managed.
The MartinJenkins Difference
Successful establishment of a new policy group while delivering on a large policy programme requires: leadership; knowledge and experience of public policy management; excellent judgment, and the ability to translate bright ideas into workable organisational roles, functions, systems and processes. It also requires excellent relationship and people management skills; the ability to quickly identify what is important and matters most, and the ability to identify and secure necessary resources. Michael Mills is typical of the directors and senior consultants employed by MartinJenkins in that he possesses this rare mix of experience and skill coupled with a deep practical understanding of public policy management.
