Public Management Principles and Theories Training

Objectives:
• Define public management and administration.
• Differentiate between public and private sector management.
• Explain the role of public management in South Africa.
• Identify key historical developments in public administration.

Topics:
• Definition and scope of public management
• Public vs private sector management
• Historical evolution of public administration in South Africa
• The role of public management in governance
• Key concepts: efficiency, effectiveness, accountability
• Overview of the South African public sector landscape

Objectives:
• Describe classical and modern theories of public administration.
• Explain the politics-administration dichotomy.
• Apply bureaucratic theory to public organisations.
• Critically evaluate the relevance of theories to South Africa.

Topics:
• Classical theories: Weber's bureaucracy, Taylor's scientific management
• Human relations approach and behavioural theory
• Systems theory and contingency approach
• New Public Management (NPM) principles
• The politics-administration dichotomy
• Critique of traditional theories in the South African context

Objectives:
• Explain the constitutional framework for public administration.
• Identify principles of cooperative governance.
• Describe the roles of the three spheres of government.
• Understand the Batho Pele principles.

Topics:
• The Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996
• Chapter 10: Basic values and principles governing public administration
• Cooperative governance and intergovernmental relations
• Spheres of government: national, provincial, local
• Batho Pele principles: putting people first
• Legislative frameworks: PFMA, MFMA, PSA

Objectives:
• Outline the public policy cycle.
• Analyse factors influencing policy formulation.
• Describe challenges in policy implementation.
• Evaluate policy outcomes using case studies.

Topics:
• The public policy cycle: agenda-setting, formulation, adoption, implementation, evaluation
• Actors in policy making: executive, legislature, interest groups
• Policy instruments and tools
• Implementation challenges: capacity, resources, political will
• Case studies: South African policy examples
• Monitoring and evaluation frameworks

Objectives:
• Explain the importance of strategic planning in government.
• Develop a basic strategic plan using SWOT analysis.
• Link strategic plans to budgets and performance.
• Understand performance management in the public sector.

Topics:
• Strategic planning process: vision, mission, goals
• Environmental scanning: PESTLE, SWOT analysis
• Strategic alignment with national development plans
• Medium-Term Strategic Framework (MTSF)
• Performance management and the Government-Wide Monitoring and Evaluation System
• Balanced scorecard in public sector

Objectives:
• Describe the principles of public financial management.
• Explain the budget cycle in South Africa.
• Apply the PFMA and MFMA requirements.
• Discuss accountability and oversight in public finance.

Topics:
• Public financial management principles: transparency, accountability, value for money
• The budget cycle: planning, execution, reporting, audit
• Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and Municipal Finance Management Act (MFMA)
• Revenue management and procurement
• Supply chain management in government
• Role of Auditor-General and parliamentary oversight

Objectives:
• Explain the legislative framework for HR in the public sector.
• Describe recruitment, selection, and performance management.
• Discuss labour relations and dispute resolution.
• Understand ethics and code of conduct for public servants.

Topics:
• Public Service Act and Public Service Regulations
• Recruitment and selection processes
• Performance management and development system (PMDS)
• Employee wellness and diversity management
• Labour relations: collective bargaining, strikes, dispute resolution
• Ethics, integrity, and the code of conduct

Objectives:
• Differentiate between leadership and management.
• Apply leadership theories to public sector challenges.
• Explain change management models.
• Analyse barriers to change in government organisations.

Topics:
• Leadership theories: transformational, transactional, servant leadership
• Leadership vs management in the public sector
• Change management models: Kotter, Lewin
• Managing resistance to change
• Building a culture of innovation and learning
• Case studies: public sector reform in South Africa

Objectives:
• Explain the Batho Pele principles in service delivery.
• Identify challenges in public service delivery.
• Describe mechanisms for citizen participation.
• Evaluate service delivery improvement programmes.

Topics:
• Batho Pele principles in practice
• Service delivery models and standards
• Citizen engagement: Ward committees, IDP forums, petitions
• Challenges: corruption, inefficiency, infrastructure deficits
• Service delivery improvement plans (SDIPs)
• Case studies: successful service delivery initiatives

Objectives:
• Define ethics and accountability in the public sector.
• Identify common ethical dilemmas.
• Explain the role of Chapter 9 institutions.
• Discuss measures to combat corruption.

Topics:
• Ethical frameworks: deontology, utilitarianism, virtue ethics
• Common ethical issues: conflicts of interest, nepotism, misuse of resources
• Chapter 9 institutions: Public Protector, Auditor-General, HRC
• Anti-corruption strategies: legislative, institutional, societal
• Whistleblowing protection
• Code of conduct enforcement

Objectives:
• Explain the framework for intergovernmental relations.
• Describe mechanisms for coordination among spheres.
• Analyse challenges in cooperative governance.
• Discuss the role of the Department of Cooperative Governance.

Topics:
• Constitutional provisions for intergovernmental relations
• Intergovernmental forums: MINMECs, technical committees
• Fiscal relations: equitable share, conditional grants
• Challenges: duplication, conflict, capacity disparities
• Role of DCOG and provincial departments
• Case studies: intergovernmental disputes and resolutions

Objectives:
• Define monitoring and evaluation in the public sector.
• Develop basic M&E indicators.
• Explain reporting requirements and frameworks.
• Use evaluation findings to improve programmes.

Topics:
• M&E concepts: inputs, outputs, outcomes, impact
• Developing performance indicators and targets
• Data collection methods and tools
• Reporting frameworks: annual reports, quarterly reports
• Programme evaluations: formative, summative, impact
• Using M&E for learning and accountability

Objectives:
• Integrate knowledge from all modules.
• Apply principles to a comprehensive case study.
• Develop a plan to address a public management challenge.
• Reflect on personal learning and professional development.

Topics:
• Recap of key themes: governance, policy, finance, HR, ethics
• Comprehensive case study analysis (e.g., service delivery crisis)
• Group work: developing a strategic intervention
• Presentation and peer feedback
• Personal action plan for applying learning
• Course evaluation and certification