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How to Run a Government

How to Run a Government

So That Citizens Benefit and Taxpayers Don't Go Crazy
by Michael Barber 2015 368 pages
3.89
378 ratings
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Key Takeaways

1. Set clear priorities and ambitious targets to drive delivery

"RULE 2: DECIDE ON YOUR PRIORITIES (really decide)"

Prioritization is essential. Governments must establish a small number of clear priorities and set ambitious targets to drive progress. This provides focus and motivation. Targets should be SMART - specific, measurable, ambitious, realistic and timebound. Benchmarking against historical performance, other systems, and within the system can inform target-setting.

Data is critical. Governments need good data systems to track progress toward targets. This allows for evidence-based decision making and course correction. Lead indicators that predict future performance on target metrics are especially valuable. Transparency in publishing data and targets increases accountability.

Avoid initiative overload. Having too many priorities or constantly launching new initiatives creates confusion and undermines focus. Stick to a small number of key priorities and see them through to completion before taking on new ones.

2. Build a dedicated delivery unit to ensure implementation

"RULE 10: SET UP A DELIVERY UNIT (call it what you like, but separate it from strategy and policy)"

A delivery unit drives implementation. Creating a small, dedicated team focused solely on delivery of key priorities helps overcome the tendency of governments to focus on policy and strategy at the expense of implementation. The delivery unit should be separate from strategy and policy functions.

Key characteristics of an effective delivery unit:

  • Small team (30-40 people) with the right mix of skills
  • Led by someone with the full trust of the head of government
  • Staffed by a combination of civil servants and external hires
  • Focused only on the top priorities, not everything
  • Builds strong relationships across government
  • Provides challenge and support to departments

The unit drives progress through regular data monitoring, problem-solving, and routines like stocktakes with the leader. It becomes a center of delivery expertise in government.

3. Develop a coherent strategy and avoid initiative overload

"RULE 14: WORK FROM PRINCIPLES TO STRATEGY TO POLICY (and put a stake through the heart of initiatives)"

Start with principles. Develop a clear set of principles to guide your overall reform approach before diving into specific policies. This provides coherence and helps navigate tradeoffs. For example, Tony Blair's principles for public service reform included setting standards, devolving power, and offering choice.

Five paradigms of system reform:

  1. Trust and altruism
  2. Hierarchy and targets
  3. Choice and competition
  4. Devolution and transparency
  5. Privatization

Most effective strategies combine elements of multiple paradigms based on context. For example, using targets and transparency to drive initial improvement, then increasing autonomy and choice over time.

Avoid initiative-itis. Constantly launching new initiatives creates confusion and undermines existing efforts. Focus on seeing through a coherent strategy rather than chasing headlines with new announcements.

4. Create detailed implementation plans with clear accountability

"RULE 23: UNDERSTAND IN YOUR HEAD (and feel in your heart) THE GAP BETWEEN YOUR ASPIRATION AND THE UNVARNISHED REALITY"

Confront brutal facts. Start by honestly assessing the current state and the gap to your aspirations. This creates urgency and informs planning. Powerful visuals like photos can affect emotions as well as intellect.

Key elements of good implementation plans:

  • Clear actions with deadlines and owners
  • Trajectory showing expected progress over time
  • Analysis of delivery chain and planned improvements
  • Consideration of stakeholder management
  • Identification and mitigation of key risks
  • Resources required to deliver

Avoid emasculation. Resist pressure to water down plans to get buy-in. This often leads to incoherent compromises. Stand firm on core principles while showing flexibility on implementation details.

5. Establish routines to drive progress and solve problems

"RULE 33: GOVERNMENT BY ROUTINE BEATS GOVERNMENT BY SPASM (it's not even close)"

Create a rhythm. Regular routines like monthly notes to the leader, quarterly stocktakes, and annual reviews create deadlines and maintain focus. This drives steady progress and prevents drift.

Key routines to establish:

  • Monthly data updates and notes to leader
  • Quarterly stocktakes on each priority
  • Problem-solving sessions as issues arise
  • Annual reviews of overall progress
  • Regular field visits to see frontline reality

Solve problems systematically. Categorize issues by intensity (from nudges to crises) and nature (e.g. capacity, implementation, stakeholder). Apply appropriate problem-solving approaches based on diagnosis.

6. Rigorously track data and trajectories to measure success

"RULE 27: NEVER GO ANYWHERE WITHOUT A TRAJECTORY (you'll learn better, faster and deeper)"

Data drives delivery. Establishing clear metrics and rigorously tracking data is essential to drive progress. This allows you to see what's working, identify problems early, and make course corrections.

Key elements of effective data systems:

  • Focus on outcomes not just inputs or outputs
  • Mix of lag and lead indicators
  • Regular, timely data collection (ideally monthly)
  • Clear targets and expected trajectories
  • Ability to drill down (e.g. by region, demographic)
  • Independent verification to ensure integrity

Learn from trajectories. Mapping out expected progress over time forces you to think through how your actions will drive change. Comparing actual to expected progress provides powerful insights to refine your approach.

7. Persist through challenges to make reforms irreversible

"RULE 45: PERSIST (but don't expect the credit)"

Anticipate the implementation dip. Initial excitement gives way to challenges as reality sets in. Prepare for this and maintain resolve to push through. Build coalitions of support to sustain momentum.

Keys to irreversibility:

  • Embed reforms in legislation and structures
  • Build broad coalitions of support
  • Change cultures and expectations, not just rules
  • Demonstrate tangible benefits to citizens
  • Make status quo ante unthinkable

Focus on legacy, not credit. Persist even when it's difficult and boring. The goal is lasting change, not short-term praise. Be willing to share credit to build support.

8. Focus on improving public sector productivity and value

"RULE 50: 'MORE FOR LESS' TRUMPS 'INVESTMENT FOR REFORM' (and may deliver more)"

Productivity is key. In an era of fiscal constraints, improving public sector productivity - getting more and better outcomes for the same or less money - is crucial. This requires rigorously tracking both outcomes and costs.

Framework for assessing public value:

  • Outcomes delivered
  • Institution/service well-managed for long-term
  • Perceived as effective by citizens/beneficiaries
  • Resources used efficiently for authorized goals

Conduct productivity reviews. Regularly assess productivity across services using a consistent framework. This allows comparison and identification of improvement opportunities. Link budgets to productivity to create the right incentives.

Last updated:

FAQ

What is How to Run a Government: So That Citizens Benefit and Taxpayers Don't Go Crazy by Michael Barber about?

  • Focus on delivery science: The book explores how governments can systematically deliver on their promises, emphasizing the "science of delivery" as a core discipline.
  • Global and practical perspective: Drawing on examples from over fifty countries and historical leaders, Barber provides a comprehensive framework for improving government performance.
  • Bridging a critical gap: It addresses the often-overlooked challenge of turning policy ideas into real-world results for citizens and taxpayers.

Why should I read How to Run a Government by Michael Barber?

  • Unique focus on execution: Unlike most political books, it centers on the practical challenge of making government work, not just on policy or elections.
  • Actionable, evidence-based insights: Barber distills global experiences and research into practical advice for leaders, officials, and citizens.
  • Improves understanding and accountability: Readers gain a deeper appreciation for the complexities of government delivery and what it takes to achieve meaningful change.

What are the key takeaways from How to Run a Government by Michael Barber?

  • Prioritize and focus: Governments must set a small number of clear, ambitious priorities and allocate resources accordingly.
  • Build delivery capacity: Establishing dedicated delivery units and routines is essential for sustained progress.
  • Data and routines matter: Regular data collection, monitoring, and review routines prevent crises and drive continuous improvement.
  • Leadership and persistence: Lasting change requires disciplined, persistent leadership and a culture of learning from both success and failure.

What is the "science of delivery" in How to Run a Government by Michael Barber?

  • Systematic implementation: The science of delivery is a structured approach to turning policy goals into tangible outcomes for citizens.
  • Data-driven management: It relies on timely, accurate data to monitor progress, inform decisions, and adapt strategies.
  • Cultural and organizational shift: Embedding delivery routines and standards at every level of government is key to success.
  • Delivery units as drivers: Small, focused teams separate from policy-making bodies are crucial for driving implementation and accountability.

How does Michael Barber recommend governments set priorities and targets in How to Run a Government?

  • Decide on real priorities: Governments must explicitly choose a small number of key goals, accepting that not everything can be a priority.
  • Be ambitious and sometimes "unreasonable": Setting bold, even seemingly impossible goals can drive innovation and transformation.
  • Design meaningful targets: Targets should be specific, measurable, ambitious, realistic, and time-bound (SMART), and aligned with the government's moral purpose.
  • Monitor for unintended consequences: Regularly review targets to avoid perverse effects and adjust as needed.

What is a delivery unit and why is it important in Michael Barber's framework?

  • Definition and role: A delivery unit is a small, focused team at the center of government dedicated to tracking progress and driving implementation of priorities.
  • Functions: It coordinates across departments, solves problems, and provides data and evidence to leaders.
  • Leadership and agility: The unit must be led by a trusted, determined individual and kept small to remain agile and impactful.

What are the five paradigms of reform in How to Run a Government by Michael Barber?

  • Trust and Altruism: Relies on professional ethics and goodwill, effective only in exceptional contexts.
  • Hierarchy and Targets: Uses top-down management and clear targets, suitable for moving from poor to adequate performance.
  • Choice and Competition: Introduces quasi-markets and citizen choice, requiring careful design for equity.
  • Devolution and Transparency: Delegates responsibility to frontline managers with public accountability.
  • Privatization and Vouchers: Transfers service provision to private entities or uses vouchers, effective when well-regulated.

How does How to Run a Government by Michael Barber advise governments to use data and trajectories?

  • Data as foundation: Reliable, timely, and detailed data is essential for managing performance and making informed decisions.
  • Trajectories link actions to outcomes: Mapping current performance to targets over time allows for dynamic monitoring and adjustment.
  • Lead indicators: Identifying and tracking lead indicators helps predict future success and guide interventions.
  • Clear presentation: Data must be presented clearly and with integrity to influence decision-makers effectively.

What routines and practices does Michael Barber emphasize for successful government delivery?

  • Regular review routines: Monthly notes, stocktake meetings, and data monitoring embed delivery into daily government life.
  • False deadlines: Routine meetings create deadlines that motivate officials to solve problems before they escalate.
  • Persistence through challenges: Leaders must anticipate and manage the "implementation dip" and maintain momentum.
  • Embedding routines: Sustained focus and improvement come from making these routines part of the organizational culture.

How does How to Run a Government by Michael Barber approach problem-solving in government?

  • Categorize problems: Problems should be classified by intensity and nature, with responses tailored accordingly.
  • Diagnose before acting: Use tools like Priority Reviews and Delivery Chain Analysis to understand root causes.
  • Challenge excuses: Take common excuses off the table to maintain urgency and focus.
  • Learn from failure: Treat failure as a learning opportunity and adapt strategies to avoid repeating mistakes.

What does Michael Barber say about leadership and making reforms irreversible in How to Run a Government?

  • Sustained political leadership: Long-term, disciplined commitment from top leaders is essential for lasting change.
  • Persistence over recognition: Leaders must persist through setbacks and boredom without expecting immediate credit.
  • Expand leadership circles: Build capacity and leadership at multiple levels to embed skills and culture for lasting reform.
  • Anticipate political risks: Plan for elections and opposition to safeguard reforms and ensure irreversibility.

How does How to Run a Government by Michael Barber recommend managing public money and budgets?

  • "More for less" mindset: Focus on delivering better outcomes with the same or fewer resources, not just spending more.
  • Bold, clean-slate budgeting: Periodically review budgets from scratch to free up resources and challenge entrenched interests.
  • Productivity focus: Integrate priority setting, resource allocation, and productivity reviews into a two-year budget cycle.
  • Strong financial leadership: Appoint detail-oriented officials to rigorously manage finances and support delivery functions.

Review Summary

3.89 out of 5
Average of 378 ratings from Goodreads and Amazon.

How to Run a Government receives mostly positive reviews, with readers praising its practical advice and insights into government operations. Many find Barber's experience valuable, appreciating his focus on implementation and delivery. The book's organization around 57 rules is noted as helpful. Some criticize its UK-centric approach and ideological bias. Readers from various backgrounds, including civil servants and education professionals, find the book useful, though some struggle with its density and occasional dryness.

Your rating:
4.38
32 ratings

About the Author

Sir Michael Barber is a prominent educational reformer with extensive experience in government and education policy. He served as education advisor to former British Prime Minister Tony Blair from 2001 to 2005. Barber later became the head of McKinsey's Global Education Practice and is currently the Chief Education Advisor at Pearson. His work focuses on school improvement, performance standards, and education access in developing countries. Barber's expertise in educational reform and policy implementation has made him a respected figure in the field. His approach emphasizes data-driven decision-making and practical strategies for achieving educational goals, which is reflected in his writing and advisory roles.

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