Guidance

DBS Strategy and Service Development

Published 26 July 2023

© Crown copyright 2023

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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/strategy-and-service-development/dbs-strategy-and-service-development

1. Our Purpose

DBS is one of five government shared service centres, which bring together core functions for Military, Civilian HR and pay, Finance and Procurement, alongside several specialist services specific to Defence, to save time, cutback-office red tape, offer taxpayers better value for money, and improve the customer experience. The SSD team is an integral part of DBS and is responsible for all things ‘strategy’.

1.1 Services we deliver

  • Planning for, and implementing, the ‘Centre Office’ model within DBS, which will fundamentally enhance the services, systems, and processes of the Defence shared service centre.
  • Establishing a service development and account management capability.
  • Working with the Defence Corporate Services Modernisation team and senior officials across Defence to define the shared services operating model for high-level HR, Finance and Commercial processes across the enterprise.
  • Defining and agreeing the DBS channel strategy to deliver a coherent digital user experience for our customers.
  • Leading the procurement of the next Armed Forces and Veterans Services Delivery Contract.
  • Supporting the Defence Equipment and Support operating model optimisation programme.
  • Facilitating the annual strategy review and producing the annual Delivery Plan and the four-year Corporate Plan.
  • Reporting performance to the DBS Board.

1.2 Our Current Challenges

Building DBS’ capacity to deliver business operation transformation alongside on-boarding new services in support of Customer Services Modernisation and Government’s shared service strategy.

Securing Buy-in of the Functional Leads. The government Functional Convergence Programme will drive greater interoperability between Finance, HR and Commercial Functions, creating a single blueprint of leading practice across Departments.

Introducing a service integration and management model for DBS, to manage the multiple services in an efficient and seamless way alongside the development of a roadmap for transition to a ‘single’ Oracle enterprise resource planning solution.

Protecting DBS’ reputation and achieving customer service excellence and an enhanced user-experience now and into the future

1.3 We work closely with the following stakeholders within our role

  • DBS teams
  • Senior stakeholders and colleagues within MOD: including MOD Chief Operating Officer, Director Head Office, Functional Leads, the Commands and Enabling Organisations, Corporate Services Modernisation and Defence Digital
  • External stakeholders, including the Cabinet Office
  • Third party suppliers
  • Trade Unions / HR Business Partners
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