project example
The design, production and dissemination of The state of social care in England report (A4, 208pp, 4 colour, perfect bound) published by the Commission for Social Care Inspection, January 2009.
Outline
Each year the Commission for Social Care Inspection was required to report to Parliament (via the Secretary of State for Health) on the finding of its national inspection programme covering private and public sector social care services. A considerable and high profile piece of work, it influences government policy and provides a major information resource for the sector, and is used widely to inform local policy development and improvements to social care services. A summary document, background papers, accessible versions and web content are also part of the reporting task. An enormous amount of background work across the Commission and beyond is harnessed into the content elements of the report, and it was especially important that the importance, quality and value of this data and work are reflected in the final product.
Project requirement
The production project lead was tasked with managing the design, production and national dissemination of the report. A pre-advertised national public launch date meant a fixed delivery date. A complex publishing project, it required not only planning, coordination, design and print management skills and but also: relationship building with authors and suppliers, influencing skills to 'sell' the design stage, the ability to think strategically and work with dexterity and tact across professional boundaries in order to 'take the load'. Management of budget and approved service procurement was also required. The production to dissemination cycle was 25 working days from delivery of approved draft text and graphics data. This period included design, presentation, copy edit, and key proof stages (including Commission Chair, Commissioners and Department of Health). The photographic elements were sourced and readied during the time available prior to the production schedule, this required earliest possible liaison with authors and Commissioners to determine the correct imagery to be used, and the identification and management of photographic shoots. The report had a number of ancillary products that were also required to be ready for the national launch date and these were managed in parallel.
The result
The report and its supporting materials was successfully published (off and online) in January 2009, to deadline and within budget. It fulfilled its overall statutory and wider communications objectives for the Commission, and was well received by The Secretary of State and national stakeholder audiences. Local council social care and health directorates use this document widely in their annual planning and training strategies.
The A5 summary version was especially popular. A national targeted mailing of the report and summary immediately followed launch day.
Video presentation - David King director of KiNG. who managed the project, briefly overviews the example (please note that your computer will need to have Flash 8 or higher installed to view this example). All rights for the report and materials shown remain with the Department of Health.
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