VIC Strategic, Business and Financial Planning Project
Overview
To support Victorian disability day service providers to move to individually-attached funding and self-directed approaches to service delivery, National Disability Services Victoria (NDS) and the Department of Human Services (DHS) joined forces on the Strategic Business & Financial Planning Project.
Business and financial consultants Pitcher Partners were engaged to provide expert advice and support to day service providers. From 2010 to February 2012, they provided a combination of forums and individualised support, focusing on the development of organisational strategic, business and financial plans. The feedback on the project has been overwhelmingly positive.
The resources developed as part of the project are now available, and we encourage providers to make use them, whether or not they participated in the forums. The strategic planning resources in particular are relevant to all providers, not only those offering day services.
Project Resources
Self-Assessment Survey
The Self Assessment Survey (PDF 184KB, RTF 53KB) assists CSOs to identify strengths and weaknesses in their preparedness for individually attached funding and self-directed approaches.
Strategic Planning Guide
This provides a complete process for developing a strategic plan with a Board, and will be of use for any CSO. It includes:
- A Facilitator's Guide (PDF 930KB, RFT 236KB), which equips a facilitator with the materials and techniques to guide an effective strategic planning session with a board, and to increase the capacity of the board to think strategically.
- A video in two parts: Part A can be used as a 'virtual facilitator' to guide a Board through the strategic planning process (contact NDS for a DVD, or access via YouTube). Part B provides background and instruction for facilitators working with the Board, and explains how to make best use of the Video and Guide (contact NDS for a DVD).
- A Participant's Workbook (PDF 873KB, RTF 184KB) for board members to work through individually in advance of a strategic planning session. The insights from this process will inform and expedite the group strategic planning, and will provide invaluable material for the facilitator.
Costing Guide
The Costing Guide (PDF 1.27MB, RTF 157KB) takes managers through a simple process from establishing the services they intend to offer through to understanding the costs involved in delivering each service and the client fee levy to be charged if that service is to be viable and sustainable.
Three-way Financial Model Template
Mapping the Standard Chart of Accounts, the model is an Excel file developed for financial staff, which will enable consistent costing to occur across service providers, improve competency in financial modelling and day service providers' understanding of cost drivers. The model has been tested with CSOs. It reconciles being simple enough to use and understand with being sophisticated enough to meet the technical needs of accountants and accounting standards.
The model is available in three versions: generic (ZIP Excel 2.75MB), employment support services (ZIP Excel 2.98MB) and day service providers (ZIP Excel 2.35MB).
Please note that responsibility for use of the tool and any decisions/actions arising from its use remain the organisation's. We advise you to keep a 'clean' copy of the tool and make a copy to input data.
Contact
For further information contact
Jane Farago
Project ManagerNDS Victoria
Ph 03 8341 4305
jane.farago@nds.org.au