Enabling a more efficient and sustainable future for a major state prosecution service

The Solicitor Section is the largest and most complex function within one of Australia’s major state prosecution services and is responsible for preparing and managing all criminal prosecutions for the state.

As cases become more complex, the Section’s inconsistent, highly manual processes and legacy technology meant the burden was being carried by solicitors juggling ever-increasing caseloads. Staff wellbeing, retention and productivity were all being impacted. 

To help chart a path to a better way of working, the Section partnered with Baringa to conduct a rapid, evidence-based review of its operations. The aim was to identify pain points and their causes, developing a new operating model to solve the issues and building an action plan to get there.

Co-designing a practical path to transformation

Over nine weeks, we worked closely with the Section to understand how it operated day-to-day. Together, we conducted over 30 stakeholder interviews, walked through processes and analysed operational documents, identifying more than 100 opportunities to reduce the pressure on staff.

Using these insights, we worked with executive leadership to co-design a future-state operating model. The plan translated into 22 recommendations and eight priority initiatives across people, process, technology and data – each designed to deliver measurable value.

Providing a clear roadmap for change

The Section now has a clear, evidence-based strategy to reduce administrative overhead, improve staff wellbeing, and enhance the quality and efficiency of this critical service to the community. After just nine weeks, the Section is ready to begin transformation with:

• A new Organisational Design that will balance workloads, improve training, and create clearer career pathways for solicitors;
• Improved processes to increase efficiency;
• A detailed Benefits Management Plan to track the value of each initiative; and
• A prioritised and sequenced Implementation Roadmap, including a six-month mobilisation plan, so the team can execute successfully and for a sustainable and efficient future.

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