Category: Featured Articles

Pasig City, 31 July 2024 —The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), as the focal organization of the Asian Productivity Organization’s (APO) Center of Excellence on Public-Sector Productivity (COE-PSP), hosted a knowledge and experience-sharing session for the seven participating agencies of the Development of Public-Sector Productivity Specialists Foundation Course (DPSPSFC).

Representatives from the Department of Science and Technology, National Commission on Indigenous Peoples (NCIP), Department of Energy, Department of Public Works and Highways , National Economic and Development Authority, Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), and Department of Justice attended the session. The participants showcased initial gains and progress in their productivity improvement plans (PIP) through videos and in-depth presentations, addressing various areas such as process digitalization and automation, project monitoring, and records management systems. 

During the spotlight sessions, participants provided detailed presentations on their projects, discussing the narrative behind them and the challenges they encountered. These challenges included stakeholders’ resistance to change, aligning new systems with existing processes, employee perceptions of increased workload, scheduling difficulties, and funding limitations. Participants also shared valuable lessons learned, emphasizing the importance of setting realistic goals, conducting thorough root cause analysis, maintaining persistent follow-ups with leaders, continuous team communication, and securing top management buy-in. These insights were used to refine their projects

Selected representatives from PUP and NCIP expressed gratitude and reflected on the program and their experiences. They appreciated the support and guidance received, which enabled substantial progress despite initial limitations and challenges.

In her message, DAP Senior Vice President for Programs Magdalena L. Mendoza emphasized the need for agents of change within the public sector. She encouraged the participants to innovate, generate new ideas, and effectively utilize government resources to improve the lives of Filipinos.


Similarly, DAP Center for Governance Vice President Imelda C. Caluen recognized the participants’ achievements in their PIPs and highlighted the event’s importance as a platform for knowledge sharing and collaboration. She urged participants to align their efforts with the Philippine Development Plan 2023-2028, stressing that the journey to transformation and excellence continues. 


The DPSPSFC, offered by the DAP COE-PSP, provides specialized training in planning, problem-solving, measurement, and analysis to enhance organizational productivity across government agencies.

This article is originally posted on: https://dap.edu.ph/dap-hosts-dpspsfc-knowledge-sharing-session/

The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), through its Center of Excellence on Public Sector Productivity (COE-PSP), hosted the fifth and final episode of the Productivity Insights series on July 18, 2024. Sarah Afiqah Binti Kamaruzaman, assistant manager of the Malaysia Productivity Corporation (MPC), presented on “Productivity in Action by Implementing Good Regulatory Practice in Malaysia,” highlighting the vital role of Good Regulatory Practice (GRP) in enhancing Malaysia’s productivity. The virtual event attracted 350 participants from various government offices.


Good Regulatory Practices are designed to protect the public interest and foster a competitive business environment for Malaysian enterprises through effective, transparent, and business-friendly regulations. Afiqah illustrated GRP’s positive impacts with practical examples, including a notable case study on private hospital construction regulations. Initially limited by security concerns, MPC’s review process, involving consultations and benchmarking, led to regulatory changes that increased health infrastructure investment and addressed urban development challenges.


MPC aims for a 3.7 percent annual productivity growth by 2025, aspiring to position Malaysia among the top 12 competitive economies globally by 2030. This vision is driven by the Malaysia Productivity Blueprint, focusing on workforce improvement, digitalization, and innovation ecosystems. Afiqah emphasized that these initiatives equip Malaysia to thrive in an evolving global economy.


Collaborations with global organizations like the World Bank and World Economic Forum have been crucial to MPC’s success. These collaborations allow MPC to benchmark Malaysia’s regulatory standards globally, adopting best practices to enhance regulation quality and effectiveness. Aligning local regulations with international standards ensures Malaysia remains attractive for investment and economic growth.

Afiqah affirmed MPC’s commitment to advancing Malaysia’s productivity agenda through innovative strategies and robust regulatory frameworks. By advocating for GRP and fostering public-private partnerships, MPC aims to enhance productivity growth, competitiveness, and citizen prosperity. She concluded by emphasizing Malaysia’s proactive approach to achieving global competitiveness and sustainable economic growth. With MPC’s dedication to excellence and innovation, Malaysia is poised to become a significant economic power in the region and beyond, supported by a robust regulatory framework and clear vision.

Productivity Insights is an initiative of DAP through its COE-PSP. This series of knowledge and experience-sharing sessions showcases best practices from local participants and APO-member economies, aiming to boost innovation and productivity in the public sector.

As the Philippines’ National Productivity Organization and COE-PSP, the DAP is committed to promoting and implementing public sector productivity-related activities across the Asia-Pacific region. The COE-PSP plays a fundamental role in this mission by facilitating the exchange of knowledge on public sector productivity (PSP) best practices among APO-member economies. It conducts relevant PSP and innovation-related research and develops knowledge products, including resources and materials to support member countries’ programs.

Through the COE-PSP, the DAP undertakes projects designed to help APO-member economies develop and strengthen their productivity programs, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness in the public sector. By fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement, the DAP strives to elevate public sector productivity, ultimately contributing to the region’s economic growth and competitiveness.

This article is originally posted on: https://dap.edu.ph/dap-hosts-final-episode-of-productivity-insights-series-with-focus-on-malaysias-role-of-good-regulatory-practice/

The fourth virtual Productivity Insights session featured an in-depth presentation on the “Performance Enhancement Through Digital Management System (DMS)” by the National University of Modern Languages (NUML). Held on June 28, 2024, the session was led by NUML Pro Rector Dr. Muhammad Zubair Iqbal and attracted over 300 participants from state colleges, universities, local government units, and government agencies.


Dr. Iqbal outlined NUML’s strategic vision and organizational restructuring aimed at fostering innovation and research alongside academic excellence. He emphasized the university’s efforts to address challenges in productivity and efficiency across its campuses in Pakistan and China. The transition to a unified digital platform replaced subjective evaluations and manual data handling, enhancing transparency and eliminating biases. NUML’s DMS centralizes faculty data, including academic credentials, research publications, financed projects, and administrative duties, ensuring accurate and verifiable information.


Dr. Iqbal demonstrated the user-friendly interface of the DMS, highlighting features such as improved institutional memory, real-time faculty activity tracking, and automated data administration. This technology streamlines performance reviews, facilitates certification procedures, and enhances global rankings by providing precise data. NUML’s implementation of the DMS sets a new standard for productivity enhancement in Pakistan’s higher education sector, reflecting its commitment to becoming a leading institution in knowledge creation and inclusive education.


In concluding the session, Dr. Iqbal stressed the importance of effective leadership and organizational management. He advocated for inclusivity, urging stakeholders to discuss goals and evaluation criteria, and emphasized the need for organizational structures that surpass individual contributions. He encouraged other universities to learn from NUML’s experiences and access their data for mutual development and progress.


Productivity Insights is a series of knowledge and experience-sharing sessions showcasing best practices from local participants and APO-member economies to boost innovation and productivity in the public sector.

This article is originally posted on: https://dap.edu.ph/4th-productivity-insights-features-numl-performance-enhancements-through-dms/

About the Tool

Purpose: Productivity Measurement

A histogram is a type of graphical data representation where the frequency of various values within a dataset is shown using rectangular bars. Though it primarily concentrates on displaying the distribution and frequency of data points, it resembles a bar graph. The height of each bar shows the frequency with which a given value or event occurs in the dataset.  It makes it easier to understand and analyze the distribution and the general pattern of data, and identify areas that need improvement.

The histogram serves as a versatile graphical tool for overall efficiency and quality. Among the many applications for histograms are done in quality planning, where they help identify concerns and root causes of problems, enabling better decision-making. In quality control, they help identify issues and implement corrective steps. In project management, they help identify difficulties and repeating trends and thus prioritize measures to enhance quality, particularly for agile techniques.

How to Use the Tool

Estimated Time Needed: 30 minutes

Target Participants or Users: Process Owners, Planning Officers, Quality Control Assessors/Evaluators, Project Managers

Steps

  1. Gather all the needed data.
  2. In the first column, categorize the gathered data and list the datasets in ascending order.
  3. In the second column, create intervals of equal length.
  4. In the third column, include the frequency of data points under each interval.
  5. Based on the given data, draw and label the horizontal (x) and vertical (y) axes.
  6. Draw bars according to the frequency and interval of the given data. Bars must not have spaces between them.
  7. Provide a title for the histogram chart.

Sample Histogram


About the Tool

Purpose: Productivity Measurements

A flowchart is a graphical representation of a process that outlines the necessary steps and decisions to achieve a specific outcome. Each step in the process is represented by a diagram shape, connected by lines and arrows that guide the viewer through the sequence. This visual representation enables anyone to understand and follow the process from start to finish quickly. A flowchart is a valuable business tool that, when designed and constructed effectively, can convey the steps involved in a process clearly and concisely, streamlining communication and increasing efficiency.

Flowcharts are essential in various industries, such as production, day-to-day operations, sales, and software development. They help streamline processes, improve communication, and identify defects. In production, they illustrate product development, manufacturing, quality assurance, and maintenance, while in day-to-day operations, they automate workflows and improve productivity. In sales and marketing, they visually represent project approaches, strategies, and communication plans. Moreover, flowcharts aid developers in visualizing complex information and making informed decisions.

How to Use the Tool

Estimated Time Needed: 1.5 hrs

Target Participants or Users: Process Owners, Planning Officers, Quality Control Assessors/Evaluators, Project Managers

Steps

  1. Define the start, end, and process or system to be represented in the flowchart.
  2. Familiarize yourself with the different symbols used to make a flowchart, such as the start, end, process, decision, loops, and connectors.
  3. Determine the flow direction if it is top-down or left-right direction.
  4. Organize the steps or information in the correct order. Begin with the start symbol and connect with the process flow.
  5. Add connectors such as lines and arrows to show the direction or flow of the steps or information. Include loops if a process flows back to the previous steps to demonstrate repetition or cycle.
  6. Review the flowchart for flaws or errors and revise based on the feedback.

Sample Flow Chart

The third virtual session of Productivity Insights, conducted by the Development Academy of the Philippines-Center of Excellence on Public Sector Productivity, showcased the transformative impact of the 5S workplace organization methodology on performance management within the Micro, Small, and Medium Size Enterprises Promotion Agency (MSMEPA) in Lao PDR. The 5S methodology comprises seiri (sort), seiton (set in order), seiso (shine), seiketsu (standardize), and shitsuke (sustain).

Held on June 13, 2024, the session had over 300 participants from various national and local government agencies and state universities. Dr. Malaykham Philaphone, director of the Technical Assistance Management Division at the MSME Promotion Fund under the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, served as the resource person.

Dr. Philaphone discussed the challenges MSMEPA faced in the application process and grant approval timeline, including limited capacity and delays in receiving assistance. These issues prompted a collaborative approach among MSME-promoting organizations, government sectors, and business associations to find solutions.

She explained that, in addition to conducting training and capacity building, MSMEPA implemented the 5S methodology to streamline processes. This involved sorting and simplifying regulations, removing unnecessary documents, organizing through electronic services, enhancing transparency, standardizing practices, and implementing training programs. Beyond adopting 5S, the division used stakeholder feedback to refine processes further.

Dr. Philaphone emphasized the establishment of standard operating procedures and training programs to ensure consistency and efficiency in evaluating and approving grants. Continuous monitoring and evaluation mechanisms were also put in place to track the effectiveness of these reforms. She noted that the 5S methodology led to significant improvements, including a notable increase in application volume and a reduction in processing times, thereby providing MSMEs with quicker access to technical assistance funding and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.

Additionally, Dr. Philaphone highlighted the importance of understanding stakeholders, using data-driven approaches, recognizing knowledge gaps, and managing change in MSME support initiatives. She also addressed the need to manage transition issues and overcome resistance to change.

Productivity Insights is a series of sessions that share best practices from local participants and APO-member economies to enhance innovation and productivity in the public sector.

This article was originally posted on: https://dap.edu.ph/third-productivity-insights-showcases-5s-transformative-impact-on-lao-pdrs-msmepa/

The  second session of Productivity Insights, held virtually on June 6, 2024, focused on Indonesia’s digital transformation in  civil servant management. Hosted by the Development Academy of the Philippines as the focal organization of the Asian Productivity Organization’s Center of Excellence on Public Sector Productivity, the event drew over 200 participants from various national and local government agencies, as well as state universities. 

Dr. Samsul Hidayat, acting director for Civil Service Performance at the National Civil Service Agency in Indonesia, discussed the country’s efforts to integrate technology to address challenges within its civil service sector, which includes 630 local governments with diverse systems and obstacles. He emphasized the need for digital transformation to enhance governance and service delivery, and stressed the importance of shifting both both personal and organizational mindsets to adapt to the digital era.

Dr. Hidayat detailed significant improvements resulting from digital transformation, such as paperless processes, digital signatures, online tracking of service progres, and simplifying bureaucratic procedures.  These advancements have led to faster service delivery, increased transparency and efficiency, and environmental sustainability. Despite these gains, Dr. Hidayat acknowledged ongoing challenges, particularly in system integration among local governments, and emphasized the need for continuous improvement in technology and the capacity of civil servants to utilize these systems effectively. 

To support this, Dr. Hidayat highlighted ongoing collaboration with other ministries, especially  in health and education, to further enhance service delivery. The focus is on sustaining and expanding digital initiatives to drive productivity improvements and better serve the Indonesian population in the next five years.

Productivity Insights is a series of knowledge and experience-sharing sessions that showcase best practices from local participants and APO-member economies to boost innovation and productivity in the public sector.

This article was originally posted on: https://dap.edu.ph/2nd-productivity-insights-session-highlights-indonesias-digital-transformation-in-civil-service/

The first Productivity Insights session, held online on 30 May 2024, highlighted the productivity initiatives of Thailand’s Bank for Agriculture and Agricultural Cooperatives (BAAC). 

More than 100 participants from various organizations, including government agencies, local government units, and state universities, attended the session.

Kasamaporn Mahawangsawat, director of the Corporate Assessment Department at the BAAC, delivered a presentation providing an overview of the agricultural cooperative, which is dedicated to providing financial services to Thai farmers and is committed to sustainable rural development. With 1,019 branches and five million mobile app users, the BAAC is a pillar in Thailand’s agricultural landscape. Mahawangsawat also emphasized how knowledge management can drive productivity initiatives in the public sector.

The BAAC’s knowledge management framework, centered on the Community of Practice (CoP), drives knowledge exchange, skill development, and innovation within the organization. Mahawangsawat discussed BAAC’s structured approach to CoP, including knowledge identification, sharing of best practices, innovation capture, and efficient knowledge utilization. She showcased creative solutions like Non-Performing Loan (NPL) management systems and mobile applications, which have resulted in significant productivity gains, shortened processing times, and cost savings.

Additionally, she presented BAAC’s successful change management techniques, such as organizational reorganization, communication, and ongoing monitoring, which improved performance and efficiency as the organization transitioned from manual to automated processes.

The example of BAAC illustrated the significance of cooperation, creativity, and flexibility in handling the complexities of modern governance. Attendees gained a better understanding of the critical role that CoP plays in promoting organizational excellence in the public sector. They also obtained valuable insights from BAAC’s success story, which they can apply to their organizations.

Hosted by the Development Academy of the Philippines, the focal organization of the Asian Productivity Organization’s Center of Excellence on Public Sector Productivity, the Productivity Insights is a series of knowledge and experience-sharing sessions aimed at demonstrating how public sector organizations translate their learnings into productivity initiatives.

This article is originally posted on: https://dap.edu.ph/first-productivity-insights-session-showcases-productivity-initiatives-of-thailands-baac-through-knowledge-management/

The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP) and the Mongolia Productivity Organization (MPO) have formalized a partnership to enhance collaboration and knowledge exchange. The signing  ceremony took place on May 29, 2024, during the 66th Session of the Asian Productivity Organization (APO) Governing Body in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

This partnership, marked by a signing of a memorandum of understanding stemmed from bilateral cooperation between the National Productivity Organizations (NPOs) of the Philippines and Mongolia in February. The collaboration, hosted by the DAP as the APO Center of Excellence on Public-Sector Productivity (COE-PSP), aims to leverage the strengths of both organizations for mutual benefit. The focus will be on introducing a public-sector performance excellence framework and learning from best practices.

The event was attended by notable representatives, including: Dr. Indra Pradana Singawinata, APO Secretary-General; Dr. Arsenio M. Balisacan, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) Secretary and APO Director for the Philippines; Dr. Majah-Leah V. Ravago, DAP President and CEO and APO Alternate Director for the Philippines; Mr. Armand Tristan R. Suratos, APO Liaison Officer for the Philippines; Erkhembayar Yamaaranz, APO Director for Mongolia; and Batbileg Tsagaan, MPO Deputy Director.

This MOU aims to encourage active communication, the sharing of best practices, and mutual learning between both organizations. This sustained partnership is expected to significantly impact the productivity landscapes of both the Philippines and Mongolia, driving sustainable development and improving the quality of governance.

This article is originally posted on: https://dap.edu.ph/dap-mongolia-productivity-organization-forge-partnership-to-boost-collaboration-and-knowledge-exchange/

Pasig City, May 2024 – The Development Academy of the Philippines (DAP), as the focal organization for the Asian Productivity Organization’s Center of Excellence on Public-Sector Productivity, hosted a groundbreaking webinar series, “Nudging to Create Change in the Public Sector,”  on May 6-7, 2024. This event attracted over 700 participants from various government agencies, government-owned and controlled corporations, local government units, academic institutions, and other sectors.

The two-day webinar aimed to deepen the public sector’s understanding of productivity improvements and explore the practical application of Nudge Theory in change management. On the first day, Jefferson A. Arapoc, an associate professor at the University of the Philippines Los Baños, delivered an engaging introduction to nudging. He illustrated its impact on shaping behavior and fostering a productive work environment through real-life case studies and practical applications in policymaking, marketing, and choice architecture. Arapoc emphasized the significance of empathy, communication, and empowerment in driving successful behavior change initiatives.

The second day delved into the critical topic of the application and role of nudging in change management within the public sector, featured insights from Benjamin Radoc, a Behavioral Economist and Principal Researcher at Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Research Academy. Radoc discussed bounded rationality and alternative methods for influencing behavior, highlighting the necessity of testing nudges and addressing ethical considerations. He also shared strategies for improving productivity through nudging, such as establishing norms, utilizing comparisons, simplifying decision-making processes, promoting ethical behavior, and ensuring knowledge retention.

This webinar series marks a significant step forward in redefining change management within public sector organizations. By bringing together experts in Nudge Theory and its applications, the DAP empowers individuals and change managers to implement meaningful transformations for enhanced efficiency and effectiveness.

Stay tuned for more exciting webinars from DAP this year. For further details, follow our updates on https://www.facebook.com/dap.edu.ph

This article is originally posted on: https://dap.edu.ph/dap-hosts-webinar-series-highlighting-the-importance-of-nudging-in-the-public-sector/