A bright and better education future

A strategic framework for Victoria’s education infrastructure agency

A strategic framework for Victoria’s education infrastructure agency

Together for good – the client challenge

The Victorian School Building Authority (VSBA) brings together industry expertise, innovation and local knowledge to deliver the schools and early learning centres needed for young people to thrive in the 21st century.

VSBA builds and maintains modern, safe and accessible learning spaces to help lift student achievements, and support Victoria’s vibrant and diverse communities.

Victoria is the fastest growing state in Australia, with Melbourne’s population projected to increase to more than 8 million by 2051, and the city’s school-age population growing by 500,000 during that period.1

In response to population growth and other key education infrastructure drivers, VSBA partnered with  Cube Group to develop a strategic framework that positioned the organisation to build a better education future for Victoria.

Bringing the right thinking and people to the table

We designed a strategic planning process that included extensive ‘inside-out’ engagement with VSBA teams and ‘outside-in’ engagement with VSBA’s key organisational stakeholders.

Our channels included contemporary surveys, appreciative inquiry interviews, Executive and Management workshops, and small focus groups. We also orchestrated a whole of team workshop with more than 200 participants to test the framework and win support from those responsible for delivering it.

VSBA operates in a complex education ecosystem, and throughout the process we applied ‘systems-thinking’ that explored opportunities for VSBA to transcend traditional boundaries, collaborate and create shared value with key organisational partners:

 

“Modern education infrastructure means enabling contemporary teaching and learning to support our next generation to realise their full potential”
Julia Hovenden
Director, Cube Group
Sectors
Services
The positive change we delivered

Our work produced a dynamic 3-year strategic framework for VSBA that centred around 5 key pillars:

  • Maintaining modern, safe and accessible education spaces
  • Leading the way in design innovation
  • Integrating our systems, processes and pracgices
  • Promoting a supportive and high-performing workplace culture
  • Driving positive outcomes through partnership and collaboration

The strategic framework is a blueprint for VSBA to continue their vital contribution to the Education State.

 

More information about VSBA is available via www.schoolbuildings.vic.gov.au

Insights for inquisitive minds
  • Our children are growing up at a time of rapid change. Knowledge and skills are evolving faster than ever before. Our learning spaces need to keep pace with new technologies and design innovation

  • Infrastructure agencies bridge many sectors of our economy and have a unique opportunity to bring together community, the public and private sectors and NGOS to drive positive change

  • Whole of organisation workshops of 200+ people can be a wonderful way to galvanise culture and create energy. Be sure to allocate time and energy to preparation, so the investment delivers strong returns.

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