Global IPAC Public Sector Executive Survey

In the spring and summer of 2014, the Institute of Public Administration of Canada and Deloitte conducted an online survey of executive-level public servants to understand the challenges and issues that they are facing. Over 2,200 respondents from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Arab Emirates responded. Survey findings revealed that fiscal constraints and rising stakeholder expectations are the “new norm”, and public sector executives need to respond by pursuing the following:

1. Human resource priorities are on building leadership capacity and driving change management.
2. Driving human resource capacity is being impeded by short term focus and lack of HR tools.
3. Policy and program priorities focus on innovative service delivery (citizen self-service and engagement of third parties).
4. There appears to be a growing divide between academic and practitioner communities.
5. Advanced analytics and mobile communications are two powerful forces impacting government in the coming years.
6. Focusing on stakeholder engagement around programs / services and building trust in public institutions are key priorities.
7. More effective inter-jurisdictional collaboration is required, with enhanced roles for municipalities and central government.
8. Performance management frameworks are generally in place, but not effective enough for management.
9. Government needs to find better ways to function effectively despite fiscal constraints.