Review of Transformation Programme
The Context
Nottinghamshire County Council (NCC) had recently established a Transformation Portfolio consisting of three key programmes, covering 25 projects across various service areas, including Social Care and Commissioning. A major challenge for the council was ensuring that these projects were tracking and delivering the intended financial and non-financial benefits, all while aligning with the broader goals of the Nottinghamshire Plan. Human Engine was commissioned by NCC to:
Review, define and provide assurance for the deliverable benefits of each transformation programme.
Establish a sustainable benefits realisation framework, complete with tools and processes, to ensure consistent tracking and delivery of benefits in future projects.
Our Approach
The project was delivered in two phases:
Phase 1 – Benefits Assurance Review
During the first phase, Human Engine conducted a three-month review of the 25 transformation projects. This included:
Assessing performance with a focus on identifying and quantifying financial benefits, resulting in the consolidation of over £27 million in savings.
Developing a benefits dashboard that provided a clear overview of the targeted benefits, helping the council understand both what was working and where gaps existed.
Phase 2 – Development of Benefits Assurance Framework and Toolkit
We then worked closely with NCC’s Transformation team to co-create a benefits realisation framework. This phase involved:
Engaging 50+ staff members through workshops/knowledge-sharing sessions to ensure the toolkit was tailored to council’s needs.
Developing a comprehensive toolkit over three months, ensuring ownership of the framework by those who would implement it.
The Programme
Human Engine’s work resulted in:
A comprehensive review of the current benefits assurance practices at NCC.
Six key themes and 12 actionable recommendations to enhance the identification, tracking and management of benefits.
A co-created, sustainable benefits realisation framework for future use.
Over 25 practical tools and templates to support NCC’s ongoing benefits realisation efforts.
Positive feedback from stakeholders, with project sponsors highlighting the clarity and usability of the framework.
The final product was launched at a council event, where the framework was widely praised for its clarity and its potential to drive forward the council’s transformation agenda.
About Us
Human Engine is a leading management consultancy with specialisms in strategy, transformation, digital, commercial, procurement and projects.
Founded in 2018, we have partnered with more than 50 local authorities, central government, NHS organisations and national charities to help transform their strategies, operations and cultures.
Our mission is to help individuals and organisations to do the best work of their lives. We do this by blending first-hand, practical experience of the problems we help our clients solve with award-winning consulting expertise and an approach based on trust, collaboration and partnership.