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Business Planning Self Assessment Tool – An Introduction

The Scottish Housing Regulator has published ’Business Planning – A Self Assessment Tool’ to help RSLs check how well their business planning process works.

It is designed to complement the business plan guidance issued in October 2009 but is broader in scope as it considers not just the business plan itself but how it is produced, implemented and reviewed.

All RSLs should find it useful although the relevance of some sections will depend upon the RSL’s size, area of operation and its strategy.

The self assessment tool is composed of five sections:

1. Does your business plan and process clearly establish the RSL’s vision and its strategic direction? Does it drive operational activities?

2. Are your aims and priorities based on a thorough appreciation (research and analysis) of the challenges and opportunities facing the RSL?

3. Does the business plan clearly articulate the ways in which the business plan objectives will be achieved?

4. Does the RSL have a credible and thorough system to review performance and outcomes against the business plan objectives?

5. Can the RSL demonstrate that it has achieved the objectives in its business plan?


You can access a pdf version of the toolkit here

Click on each heading for a series of key criteria against which RSLs can assess their business practice. For each of these criteria, RSLs can also access more detailed self assessment questions. These questions are intended to help RSLs challenge their current practice.

There are a considerable number of questions. We do not expect RSLs to go through every section and answer each one. The self-assessment questions are designed to allow RSLs to focus on individual sections separately and to use those sections which are relevant to their particular circumstances and requirements.

These questions have been drawn from a variety of sources including the SHR’s own regulatory guidance; other government and regulators’ publications and positive practice from the sector itself. The most significant are listed below.

Scottish Housing Regulator

• October 2009 – Business Planning Guidance

• April 2008 – SHR 08 Criteria for registration as an RSL

• April 2008 – SHR 16 Regulatory Code of Governance

• April 2008 – SHR 24 Treasury Management – The Use of Derivatives

• November 2006 - Performance Standards for Social Housing Landlords and Homelessness Functions

Tenant Services Authority (TSA)

• May 2009 – Treasury management for Housing Associations: A Good practice Guide

Audit Commission

• Various publication dates – Keys Lines of Enquiry for Housing

Housing Corporation

• September 2003 – Ahead of the Game: Good Practice Guide to Business Planning

• January 2008 – Demonstrating Internal Controls Assurance in Housing Associations

CIPFA

• November 2008 - Financial Planning – A Guide for Board Members

Audit Scotland

• November 2008 - Priorities and Risks Framework

Quality Scotland

• March 2009 – Public Service Improvement Framework

The tool is designed so that RSLs can use it with their own performance management and quality assurance systems.

The questions will be kept under review and we would welcome comments on and any suggestions for inclusions or amendments at any time.

Our contact details;

Telephone: 0141 271 3810

Email: shr@scottishhousingregulator.gsi.gov.uk