Recent Audit Commission reports on several Covalent customers have noted recognition from the inspectors of the Covalent solution and the way in which it is helping organisations across the UK to improve their corporate performance.
Hertsmere Borough Council, “The Council has robust arrangements for monitoring and managing performance. This is facilitated by a comprehensive performance management tool which collates all of the Council’s performance data, ensures it is verified and sorts it into presentation packages relevant to the different performance management groups. The performance data can be extrapolated and tailored to meet any particular requirements, such as trend analysis, and can be presented in a number of formats. All staff have readable access to the system, and briefing and training sessions have been held to embed and maximise its use.”
Rossendale Borough Council, Housing Inspection. Inspectors report “A web-based performance management system; ‘Covalent’ has been introduced. This has led to better quality and timely management information, alerting management to poor performance quicker than under previous systems. The system can be accessed from any computer and shows ‘at a glance’ through a traffic light system if performance is on or off target” … “The Council is making appropriate investment in IT systems and training to enable staff to make effective use of IT”… “The ‘Covalent’ performance management system is a further example of improved use of IT to assist in managing improvement”
Scottish Borders Council, The KPIs are monitored through the Covalent performance monitoring system….The performance monitoring system will monitor performance at all levels and by its launch at the end of June 2006, nearly 200 employees across the council had been trained to use it.”…“The council needs to consolidate the work it has started, to ensure that the arrangements it has put in place, some of which are very recent, become consistently embedded across all its operations. The council has in place a sound framework for scrutiny. These arrangements can become more effective by developing a more strategic focus, and should be better informed by the availability of good quality performance information, once the Covalent system is fully implemented.”
Winchester City Council, Housing Inspection. “This is an area where strengths outweigh weaknesses. The Council is investing in skills training for its staff and Members and has updated its human resource policies and procedures to support recruitment and retention and reduce sickness levels. It has also invested in a new performance management IT system and is working well with its partners to make the best use of available resources.”