QTC Education - Service Planning September

Learning Outcomes: 

• Relate service planning principles to a councils' integrated planning framework 
• Understand the role of elected members and officers in the council service planning and budgeting process 
• Understand different components of service plan including service levels, financials and risks 
• Explore the importance of service reporting, monitoring and assessment to achieve effectiveness and efficiency 

The course will consist of six modules in total. Please find below the topics that will be covered. 

Module 1

1. Setting the scene 
2. Service Planning introduction 

Module 2 

1. Prioritising Council services 
2. Current service reporting approaches 
3. Understanding service levels 

Module 3 

1. Developing service plans 
2. Understanding the cost of services 

Module 4 

1. Service performance monitoring and reporting
2. Reviewing services 
3. Incorporating service planning in the budget process 

Module 5 

1. Case study activity 

Module 6 

1. Case study continued 
2. Workshop recap 

This course is suited to council management and staff directly and indirectly involved is service planning related activities including business improvement teams, governance officers and council directors and managers looking to gain insight into local government service planning by implementing a service planning framework to guide decision making.

Participants will earn a digital badge upon completion of the course which can be shared across various online platforms so you can showcase your demonstrated skills and achievements.

Please note, to be eligible for a digital badge you must attend all sessions and complete all associated learning content/activities. 

The course will be delivered over 4 weeks and consist of weekly 2-hour virtual sessions. Please find the specific details below. 

Commitment to all sessions within this course is essential for an optimised learning experience.

If you have any questions or general enquiries, please contact us at qtceducation@griffith.edu.au

Dr Ayesha Scott

Dr Ayesha Scott is a Senior Lecturer in Finance and Financial Planning at Griffith University. Ayesha’s research agenda is interdisciplinary, and spans financial and social inclusion, consumer vulnerability, banking ethics, violence against women, and personal/household finance. Her focus is on improving individuals’ wellbeing and social inclusion across financial systems and society. She is regularly asked to speak on these topics and her work has generated media interest within New Zealand and Australia.

Dr Steffen Westermann

Steffen is a lecturer and researcher in Financial Planning. His PhD research looked at the behavioural and psychological determinants of financial wellbeing and advice seeking in the Australian retirement savings context. More broadly, he is interested in personal finance, including financial inclusion, capability, and wellbeing, responsible investment preferences, as well as how to prepare individuals for retirement through financial education and advice, considering challenges, such as the effects of climate change. His previous research has focused on CSR and the investment performance of Australian REITs.