Barbara YoungChief ExecutiveEnvironment Agency

Making it Happen • The development of strategy in public

organisations

My experience of strategy development• UK National Health Service - health care for

half a million people• RSPB - Europe’s largest conservation charity• Anglian Water - a global water and

infrastructure commercial company• BBC - a world renown public service

broadcaster• The Environment Agency

Similarities• Value driven, professional staff• Important to the public - services that

matter• Politically high profile - management in

the goldfish bowl• Multiple stakeholders and multiple

accountabilities

Preparing for strategy development• Scenarios• SWOT• Stakeholders

The Vision for our Environment:Making it Happen

Our Vision is:A healthy, rich and

diverse environment in England and

Wales, for present and future

generations

The Nine Themes for the Future• a better quality of life• an enhanced

environment for wildlife• cleaner air for everyone• improved and protected

inland and coastal waters

• restored, protected land with healthier soils

• a ’greener’ business world

• wiser, sustainable use of natural resources

• limiting and adapting to climate change

• reducing flood risk

Making it happen

Priority Outcomes

‘Environmental Outcomes’

‘The Future Agency’

Vision

RolesValues

NationaltargetsNationaltargetsNationaltargets

Nationaltargets National

targetsNationaltargetsNationaltargets

Changing to ensure success

Nature of targets:• Environmental outcome-focussed• Challenging but achievable • Measurable• Cover both doing and influencing

activities• Existing and new actions

The FutureAgencyVISION

Better quality of lifeEnhanced environment for

wildlifeCleaner Air

Improved inland & coastal waters

Restored, protected landGreener business world

Sustainable use of natural resources

Climate changeReducing flood risk

VALUESFocus on Environmental OutcomesBy working in effective PartnershipsBy being robustAnd by being flexible, embracing change, learning and improvementExert real influence

ROLES

Efficient OperatorModern RegulatorInfluential Advisor

Informative Communicator

catalysing changeChampion of the

environment within the context of

sustainable development

The change projects

EfficientOperator

Driving Corporate Performance

SupportingTechnology

The Future AgencyDevelopingPeople

Modern Regulator

InfluentialAdvisor, CatalyticConvertor

Making it happen:Developing local contributions

Your Local ContributionMaking ithappen

Local outcomes and targets

Local changes and resources

Stakeholders and staff commitment

Local Dialogue “HOW do we make it happen?”

and“HOW will we measure

progress?”

Purpose• Turning the Vision into action• Define how we contribute to

‘Making it happen’• Provide a focus for all employees• Form a basis for dialogue with key

external partners

The Vision for our Environment:Making it Happen

Developing support for the strategy• The sinusoidal curve• Using the cynics• Forging the partnerships• Signing up the customers

Leadership and strategy• This vision is exciting!• It’s good to care - walking and talking the

values

Leadership and strategy• Anyone around here who isn’t confused,

doesn’t understand what’s going on.

Organisational development and strategy• Training and development - strategic

objectives• Sheep dip - shared language and values• Loose/tight - setting people free

Strategy in a changing world• Change is a natural process - be a

cockroach, not a dodo• Change is not predictable• Scanning the external world• Keeping your eye on the horizon• Grasping opportunity

Strategy in a changing world• It’s about outcomes

Barbara YoungChief ExecutiveEnvironment Agency