PUB3704 Assignment 2 2025 - April 2025

PUB3704 ASSESSMENT 02 QUESTION(S) In an ever-changing external environment, such as the one we are currently in, public institutions have to adapt to change in order to remain viable. Public institutions that plan for change have to develop their staff complement and innovate in order for the change to be successful. With this context in mind, do the following: 1.1 Critically analyse the importance of developing individuals in the public sector and illustrate with the use of practical and relevant examples. 1.1 Mitigating Power Imbalances and Expertise Shortages The erosion of traditional hierarchical power structures (MPM, Chapter 8.3.5) has shifted influence to employees with specialized skills or irreplaceable knowledge. For instance, downsizing in public institutions often leaves gaps in expertise, empowering remaining staff who possess critical technical or institutional knowledge. Developing individuals through continuous training ensures that expertise is distributed rather than concentrated, reducing dependency on a few key players. For example South Africa’s National School of Government offers targeted programs in digital governance, equipping mid-level managers with data analytics skills to address service delivery gaps exacerbated by staff reductions.