Leading Large Scale Change in Government

Large-scale change initiatives are efforts that require the collaboration of multiple agencies; the creation of detailed, shared protocols; the requisite shifts in organizational culture; strong personal commitment and leadership; and frequently the implementation of appropriate technology.

Accenture and NYU Wagner developed a quarterly breakfast series for public sector managers to discuss in some depth the multiple managerial and leadership challenges of implementing large scale change. The breakfast series was built from the success stories of these kinds of managerial challenges. Each breakfast included senior managers as lead discussants and a moderator who encouraged lively conversation among discussants and others in the room. Each breakfast was organized around a central strategic and managerial question of particular relevance to large scale change efforts in New York City government. Outside experts who could further enrich the conversation were invited.

In addition, this series strived to:

• Create a networking environment that encourages the exchange of ideas between senior managers of complex change programs and those emerging leaders charged with undertaking similar efforts.
• Encourage a cadre of new leaders interested in undertaking such challenges, providing them with the insights, learning and the collegial support that will help sustain their work over time.
• Promote further learning about how successful complex change initiatives are designed and managed, and capture this information in written reports.

For more information about the New York City series please visit Accenture's website.