City of Helsinki

Designing the health and welfare management structure

Business needs

• Renew health and welfare management framework by clarifying roles and improving coordination.
• Engage sector experts to address challenges and reinforce successful practices.
• Use service design and evaluation methods for effective implementation.

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Streamlining for more efficient management

In 2018, the City of Helsinki, following a city council decision, initiated efforts to develop a more effective management and coordination structure for promoting health and well-being (HYTE), a key part of its strategic management. A HYTE steering group was formed alongside expert and support groups, including the roles of a HYTE coordinator and secretariat, creating a wide-reaching HYTE network spanning all sectors of the city.

However, managing the multidisciplinarity and expanding responsibilities of HYTE, particularly in light of healthcare reform and legislative changes, presented challenges that called for a more refined operation and clearer roles within the steering group.

Collaborative redesign of the HYTE framework

In collaboration with Digitalist during the summer and fall of 2023, the City of Helsinki undertook a project to refine the management and coordination structure of HYTE. The project focused on streamlining the HYTE steering group, coordinator, and secretariat roles while addressing challenges and enhancing proven practices.

Utilizing service design and developmental evaluation methodologies, experts from across the city's diverse sectors were engaged to ensure the framework aligns with Helsinki's strategic goals. This effort aimed to create a management system that effectively promotes the health and welfare of residents through a more cohesive and responsive approach.

Phase 1: Comprehensive HYTE Framework Evaluation

In the first phase, we conducted an in-depth analysis of the existing HYTE framework. This involved reviewing current practices, leading focus group discussions with cross-sector leadership, and surveying the HYTE network. The objective was to pinpoint strengths and identify areas needing improvement within the system. The insights were compiled into a detailed report outlining key findings and actionable recommendations for refining the framework.

Phase 2: Collaborative Co-Creation Workshops

Building on the evaluation findings, we moved into a co-creation phase where stakeholders from various sectors participated in workshops to develop solutions. These collaborative sessions fostered the sharing of diverse insights, helping co-create a strategic proposal that aligned with Helsinki’s health and welfare objectives. The co-creation phase was critical in designing a more efficient and responsive organizational model.

Phase 3: Finalizing the Renewed HYTE Management Model

In the final phase, the feedback from the co-creation workshops was transformed into a comprehensive proposal for the new HYTE management and coordination structure. This proposal addressed key challenges such as task prioritization, clearer role definitions, and improved decision-making processes. The result was a strategic plan that enhanced Helsinki’s ability to promote health and welfare, ensuring a more efficient, inclusive, and coordinated approach.

Inclusive stakeholder collaboration for comprehensive solutions

By incorporating a diverse range of internal and external stakeholders, the project gained valuable perspectives and expertise that enriched the health and welfare management framework. This inclusive approach fostered cross-sectoral collaboration, ensuring that recommendations were comprehensive and addressed the needs of various groups. Improved communication channels enabled continuous feedback, ensuring the framework was both practical and responsive to stakeholder needs.

Building support for effective implementation

Engaging stakeholders throughout the process led to stronger buy-in and support for the proposed changes. This sense of ownership increased the likelihood of adoption, while the involvement of community representatives ensured that recommendations aligned with real community needs. This strategy not only improved the relevance of the outcomes but also set a solid foundation for the successful implementation of health and welfare initiatives.