Botanic Gardens of Sydney – Independent Review of Function and Structure

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The Circumstances

The Botanic Gardens of Sydney (BGS) is a globally recognised cultural, scientific and environmental institution responsible for stewarding some of Australia’s most significant botanical assets. Operating across multiple sites, BGS combines tourism, cultural exhibitions, horticultural excellence, scientific research, and conservation.

SpencerMaurice was commissioned to undertake an independent evidence-based organisational review, to assess alignment between strategy, functions and structure.

This involved the assessment of the appropriateness and clarity of current organisational functions, the evaluation of the effectiveness of the existing organisational structure, and an assessment of the alignment between strategy, functions, structure, capability and resources.

It also required identification of opportunities to improve efficiency, accountability, collaboration, labour savings and organisational outcomes, and the development of a future-state BGS operating model that would enable the organisation to better align with strategic priorities.

Our Approach

  • Desktop review and extensive stakeholder consultation program
  • Benchmarking of BGS to comparable organisations
  • Identification of improvement opportunities
  • Financial analysis
  • Development and analysis of alternative structures and operating models

Outcomes Delivered

  • Extensive stakeholder engagement, including one-on-one interviews with all managers, co-design workshops, and an organisation wide survey.
  • A comprehensive assessment of current organisational functions, structure and alignment, to strategy and statutory obligations
  • Benchmarking of BGS to comparable organisations
  • Identification of inefficiencies, duplication, capability gaps and organisational risks, with targeted improvement opportunities
  • Analysis of several alternative organisational structures and operating models
  • Development of a high-level implementation roadmap
  • Production of a detailed 95 page final report
  • Presentation of recommendations to the Board of Trustees