Abstract:
Within a system of intergovernmental relations, integrated planning across all
spheres it is important for South African public institutions to ensure effective policy
implementation. This article provides results of a study that was aimed at evaluating the
nature and extent of alignment between the Strategic Performance Plans of selected
Eastern Cape provincial government departments and the Provincial Growth and
Development Plan (PGDP): 2004–2014. The intention of the study was to critically
assess how to enhance the effectiveness of the policy implementation process to ensure
meticulous deployment of public funds and other resources. A qualitative research
approach was followed. This approach combined a literature review, collection of data
in ten provincial government departments and one public entity, and a desktop analysis
of planning documents, reports, policy and budget speeches of selected provincial
government departments. The findings of this study revealed that while the PGDP
priorities are well articulated in departmental plans, they are accorded a status that is
secondary to priorities of national government departments. Of course, weaknesses in the design of the PGDP were revealed, in particular those that relate to PGDP strategies
that were formulated without active participation of sectors that would facilitate their
implementation, including some PGDP targets that were unrealistically set. The weak
intergovernmental relations system and absence of technical alignment mechanisms
across sectors and spheres were noted. The study concludes by suggesting a Strategic
Planning Alignment Model for Public Service organisations to provide a conceptual
framework within which governmental institutions should assess alignment in planning
and implementation of public policies.
