A Commonwealth department engaged Holan to support a review of its Human Resources operating model. The department wanted to ensure its HR function remained fit-for-purpose, aligned to strategic priorities and capable of meeting future workforce needs.
The review formed part of a broader effort to assess organisational capability, improve service delivery and identify opportunities to strengthen governance, workforce planning and stakeholder engagement.
Holan was engaged to undertake stakeholder consultation, gather evidence and provide insights to support the development of a revised operating model.
The challenge
The department’s HR function was operating in a complex environment characterised by workforce reform, enterprise bargaining activity and evolving employee expectations. Stakeholders identified competing priorities, increasing workloads and the need for stronger workforce insights to support decision-making.
Consultation also highlighted opportunities to improve governance arrangements, reduce reliance on manual processes, address capability gaps and provide more consistent support to managers. While existing arrangements were generally effective, there was a clear need to establish a more sustainable and scalable operating model for the future.
Approach
Holan worked closely with departmental stakeholders to understand the current operating environment and identify practical opportunities for improvement.
- Developing — a stakeholder engagement plan to guide consultation activities and ensure broad representation across key stakeholder groups.
- Facilitating — focus groups and interviews with executives, managers and HR practitioners to gather perspectives on current challenges and future requirements.
- Analysing — feedback and organisational insights to identify recurring themes, operational risks and opportunities for improvement.
- Synthesising — stakeholder findings into a concise evidence base that informed future operating model considerations and improvement priorities.
- Supporting — the development of recommendations designed to strengthen governance, workforce capability and service delivery outcomes.
Outcome
Stronger strategic alignment.
The review identified opportunities to improve prioritisation across HR initiatives and strengthen the use of workforce information to support executive decision-making and future planning.
Improved governance foundations.
Stakeholder feedback highlighted opportunities to clarify delegations, strengthen escalation pathways and streamline decision-making processes across HR functions.
Greater organisational resilience.
The review identified workload concentration and capability risks within specialist functions, enabling the department to better understand areas requiring additional support and succession planning.
Clear priorities for future improvement.
The engagement provided a practical evidence base for initiatives focused on service delivery, manager enablement, reporting and workforce capability, supporting the department’s ongoing operating model maturity.
Want to learn more?
Reviewing workforce functions is about more than organisational structure. It is an opportunity to ensure governance, capability and service delivery arrangements can support future organisational priorities.
Holan Group helps government agencies assess operating models, engage stakeholders and develop practical recommendations that improve organisational effectiveness and workforce outcomes.
Speak with our team about how we can help your organisation strengthen workforce capability and prepare for future change.
What We Offer
HR Operating Model Reviews
Independent reviews that assess structures, roles, processes and governance arrangements to support future organisational needs.
Workforce Planning
Evidence-based workforce planning services that help agencies align capability with strategic priorities.
Stakeholder Engagement
Targeted consultation and facilitation services that capture meaningful insights from executives, managers and workforce representatives.
Organisational Design
Practical organisational design support focused on improving accountability, service delivery and operating effectiveness.
Governance and Reform Support
Advice and implementation support that helps agencies embed sustainable reforms and strengthen decision-making frameworks.
Frequently asked questions
Why conduct an HR operating model review?
An operating model review helps organisations understand whether HR services, governance and capability are aligned to future needs.
What is the value of stakeholder consultation during a review?
Stakeholder consultation provides frontline insights that help identify practical challenges and opportunities for improvement.
Can an operating model review be completed without major organisational restructuring?
Yes, many reviews identify improvements that strengthen existing arrangements rather than requiring wholesale redesign.
What outcomes should organisations expect from an operating model review?
A well-executed review provides evidence-based recommendations that improve governance, workforce capability and service delivery effectiveness.
