Value for Money
*** Also now available – additional modules – on CBA, VfM and evaluation and VfM and complexity ***
VfM – What does it mean? Why do you care? How to achieve it!
One day training course
The cost is £349 (exc. VAT) per delegate.
Who is this training for?
Anyone who wants to better understand Value for Money concepts to improve VfM, do VfM analysis and/or report on VfM.
Learning outcomes
To appreciate and apply VfM concepts to a range of situations. To set up the right questions around value for money and understand the use of VfM approaches to answer these questions appropriately and in a feasible and meaningful way. To be able to communicate with a range of audiences on VfM issues.
Outline of the course
- What is VfM? Including the 3E model and 4E (3E+Equity)
- Framing a meaningful question: to create a proportionate VfM approach
- The key VfM concepts: inputs, costs, outputs, outcomes, impacts
- The art of the possible: assess opportunities and limitations for VfM analysis
- Evidence and metrics: the building blocks of VfM understanding
- Simplicity and communicating VfM: homing in on essential messages
- Looking back: working with tools and ideas in delegates’ contexts
You will leave the course ready to immediately apply a new perspective on what you do every day. You will be equipped to think about VfM in practical and creative ways and have learned to explain and demonstrate VfM ideas to others, talk about how they are being applied and create, communicate and explain the results of analysis.
Practical details
This training is a one-day online-blended* course – get in touch about live-online or live in-person delivery options.
* see end of page for features of this delivery mode
Current dates shown in the right hand green block on this page.
The cost is £349 (exc. VAT) per delegate. (Please get in touch for multi-booking, SME, etc. discounts)
This training is also available as in-house sessions which can help with discussing sensitive topics. Costs are negotiable (but always give a discount on the individual delegate rates) and we can offer the tailoring of course material to specific requirements.
Course detail
What is VfM?
The 3E model: does it apply to you? The 3E model of economy, efficiency and effectiveness is explained and explored in context.
Framing a meaningful question
How to create a proportionate VfM approach by considering the fundamentals of why VfM is important and how its meaning and use vary.
The fundamental elements of VfM
The classic VfM concepts of inputs, costs, outputs, outcomes and impacts are introduced. A table exercise and debrief to explore the importance of starting VfM work at the strategic level.
The art of the possible
An examination of commonly used tools in the VfM arena, understanding where and how they are applied and their limitations. How to assess opportunities, and keep feasibility, when handling VfM questions.
Using metrics to build analysis
An introduction to the core of VfM analysis and a short exercise to explore the many levels of insight that can be layered within even a basic VfM analysis.
Simplicity and communicating VfM
This session moves away from technicality to take the VfM concept to its simplest level. Exploring with delegates’ examples and case studies how simple VfM analysis can be and still keep its power. Why this is often the best starting (and sometimes endpoint) when communicating VfM.
Live session indicative content
Overview of on-demand presentations
This is a rapid overview of the presentations that delegates will have watched; questions on specific points for clarity (rather than wider discussions) are raised in this session.
[Note that this session can be held at an earlier date, usually around 4 days before the main live Q&A and discussion, to allow delegates time to ask questions and then revisit the on-demand material]
Who is in the room?
Delegates will be able to share why they are there and what they hope to get out of the day. The importance and use of VfM will be explored through the examples of delegates’ own working contexts.
Q&A and discussions of VfM in working contexts
This is the main live content bringing the material to life, going in to more depth and particularly exploring examples of, and related to, the delegates’ working contexts.
Looking back
An interactive session using small groups. Checking back to see how the tools and ideas relate to delegates’ contexts. With further discussion.
Take-away points and tomorrow’s changes
This final session will be an interactive session to create a list of take away points for delegates. Delegates will also be encouraged to note down “tomorrow’s changes” as to what they will do when they go back to work to start using the learning that they have gained during the training.
Current dates – see the green box to the right of this page
Online-blended delivery allows you the flexibility to engage with the course presentations at a time that suits your work and life pressures.
Being ‘blended’ it also retains the important value-add interactive element through the engaging live-online session(s) consisting of
- presentation overview and clarification questions,
- broader Q&A and discussions to extend the learning and put into your work context.
You can also access support via email or a short call with the trainer if you get stuck as you go through the on-demand The on-demand elements are available as videos on this website with a supplied login. If you would like access to a page with short extracts from two of the modules please contact me.
The total content offered is at least equivalent to the ‘fully live’ delivery. The live-sessions would normally be 1.5 hours for the half day modules and 2.5 hours for the full day training.
If you prefer fully live-online or in-person training, please click here for my direct email and get in touch – this still happens a lot and offers good value for groups.