Impossible to say if Lean program working: Provincial auditor

While some aspects of the government's multimillion-dollar Lean efficiency program are effective, the provincial auditor says she's still not getting an answer to her big question does it work?

On Tuesday, auditor Judy Ferguson released her latest wide-ranging report on how well government is doing its job.

Part of the report looks at the Lean program's rollout in certain government departments, school divisions and post-secondary institutions.

They're unable to show us whether or not Lean is achieving what they're hoping it's achieving.- Provincial Auditor Judy Ferguson

Lean, which is supported by Premier Brad Wall, is supposed to streamline the workemployees do. It's expected to lead to continuous improvement andsave taxpayers money.

However, critics, including the Opposition New Democrats, say it's a waste of money that frustrates front-line workers and tries to fill their heads with confusing jargon.

Proof of program's success lacking, auditor says

Ferguson said there's evidence that the program is being effectively co-ordinated but not whether it's leading to better service, improving things, or getting good value for the money spent.

"They're unable to show us whether or not Lean is achieving what they're hoping it's achieving," Ferguson told reporters.

The auditor had come to similar conclusions in a previous report that looked at Lean in health care.

This time, Ferguson says she added up the equivalent of 13 full-time employees involved in Lean, worth $1.4 million in salaries. She says the government could not show whether or not the investment was producing results.

"As accountants when we think of return on investment we think of, 'How much money?' 'How much time have you invested on it?' 'What benefits are you getting out?'" she said. "We're looking for that comparison. We didn't find that."

Ferguson made a number of recommendations, including that those responsible for the Lean should gather information so the the overall success of the program can be determined.