Aims and Objectives
The Responsible Division Management Implementation project aims to:
- define and implement a new service model for the services that support the University’s core activities, and
- oversee specific efficiency and cost-saving initiatives.
The service model implements the 'responsible division management' approach, which in turn incorporates the principle of subsidiarity.
The overall aim is to allow maximum investment in the University’s core activities of teaching and learning, research and knowledge transfer by ensuring services and processes in support of these activities are as efficient and effective as possible.
The benefits of RDM
RDM is quite a different operational philosophy from the past for the University, requiring significant cultural change. The benefits of RDM include the following:
- through the principle of subsidiarity, we seek to empower our Deans and other budget division heads, increasing the overall capacity of the University by distributing authority – and the capacity to determine matters - more widely.
- Implementing RDM proceeds from a well founded premise that the manner in which the University’s support functions are delivered is less than ideal both in terms of effectiveness or efficiency. RDM provides a prism through which a more coherent and rational approach to service delivery might be arranged.
- RDM provides a language to clearly delineate accountability and responsibility. It clearly states what are central and local responsibilities and it clearly delineates who is accountable and for what action.
- Alignment of accountabilities, budgets and incentives is key to achieving an efficient and adaptable model budget divisions will receive the flow-through benefit of improving their services so that incentives drive innovation over time, rather than relying on central planning/targets.
- The model can support improved internal management and contain costs through improved processes, reduction in duplication / handovers, increased scale benefits and development of online systems.
The project will know it has been successful when:
- services -
- are responsive and delivered close to the business and ‘client’ according to the Responsible Division Management approach and the subsidiarity principle
- provide cost-effective support of academic areas
- comply with specified standards and meet University performance expectations
- the University has achieved identified cost savings.
Goals of Responsible Division Management at the University of Melbourne