Statement of Objectives and Statement of Service Performance
Quality Assurance Processes
The Ministry has a formal policy framework within which all policy issues may be assessed, options developed and analysed, and consultation with interested parties effected. This framework is consistent with the processes employed by many other government agencies and helps ensure consistency of approach and focus throughout the Ministry and with broader government policy. Consultation with interested parties is undertaken throughout this process and advice from the Ministry's Legal Section is also sought where appropriate.
Within the policy framework significant influences on the quality of output delivery included:
- gauging of Ministers' satisfaction through regular (usually weekly) meetings which provide frequent opportunities for feedback on the level of satisfaction with the quality of advice and reporting. The Chief Executive also had formal discussions with each Minister (usually quarterly) on the Ministry's performance and forward work programme as part of the Ministry's regular review processes;
- standard quality assurance procedures applied throughout the Ministry which require that all reports to Ministers and letters for their signature are normally signed out by a Deputy Secretary, a director, a manager or senior advisor depending on the complexity or sensitivity of the issue being dealt with; and
- consultation with external groups on an informal basis or the release of discussion papers on which formal submissions are received.
Standards for Policy Advice
The Ministry will seek a quarterly written response from Ministers on its performance against the following standards:
Quantity
Project work is agreed in the year's work programme, and modified by agreement between Ministers and the Chief Executive in the course of the year. It is assessed against the programme agreed to in the Chief Executive's Performance Agreement and any subsequent amendments.
Coverage
Provision of a comprehensive service, which provides:
- the capacity to react urgently;
- timely and relevant briefings on significant issues; and
- support for Ministers as required in Cabinet Committees, Select Committees and in the House.
Performance is assessed by regular surveys of ministerial satisfaction levels.
Quality
The Ministry will supply high quality individual products conforming to the quality characteristics outlined below and assessed by the Ministers' satisfaction, as reported in the Ministers' quarterly response sheet.
Quality characteristics:
- Purpose - The aim of the advice is clearly stated and it answers the question(s) set.
- Logic - The assumptions behind the advice are explicit and the argument is logical and supported by the facts.
- Accuracy - The facts in the papers are accurate and all material facts are included.
- Options - An adequate range of options is presented and the benefits, costs and consequences of each option to the Government and the community are assessed.
- Consultation - The Ministry has consulted with other government agencies and other affected parties and possible objections to proposals are identified.
- Practicality - The problems of implementation, technical feasibility, timing and consistency with other policies have been considered.
- Presentation - The format meets Cabinet Office and ministerial requirements; the material is effectively, concisely and clearly presented, has short sentences in plain English and is free of spelling or grammatical errors.
Timeliness
Specified reporting deadlines will be met. These are assessed by comparison against deadlines set in the written work programme as modified in the course of the year.
Cost
The final cost is within budget. This is assessed by comparing the final cost with the Estimates of Appropriations.
These quality characteristics apply to the following output classes:
Vote: Business Development
- Policy Advice - Business Development
Vote: Commerce
- Policy Advice - Business and Competition
- Policy Advice and Administration of Trade Remedies
Vote: Communications
- Policy Advice - Communications
Vote: Consumer Affairs
- Policy Advice on Consumer Issues
Vote: Energy
- Policy Advice on Energy and Resource Issues
- Management of the Crown Mineral Estate
- Energy Efficiency and Conservation
Vote: Government Superannuation Fund (GSF)
Back to Top