ICT Shard Services Across the Wellington Region - Learnings from a Water Management Services Organisation

The creation of Wellington Water (WWL) was based on the belief that a regionally managed water network can deliver strategic and operational synergies that were not possible by individual councils working in isolation. This same rationale should therefore be applicable to Shared Services opportunities for Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) products and services.

Wellington Water partnered with like-minded councils in the Wellington region and joined the Shared Services Office (SSO). This initiative aligned to Wellington Water’s commitment to regional thinking and collaboration, as well as leveraging the benefits and cost-savings offered through a shared platform of technology products and services. It also provided impetus within Wellington Water to viewing ICT as a key strategic asset for growth and innovation, rather than simply as a cost to the wider business.

The process of transitioning towards the SSO initially appeared simple and straightforward, as most Corporate ICT functions and services at Wellington Water were already outsourced. Therefore, the strategic and economic benefits were easy to quantify and qualify. Nevertheless, the journey itself has not always been straightforward and this paper will present both the benefits and challenges faced from ICT and wider business perspectives, as the transition will be largely complete by the time of this conference in October.