1. 1 Simplification in France: A remodelled approach Brussels, 6th February 2009 Denis Besnainou, Direction générale de la modernisation de l’État

2. 2 Summary I. A shift in the approach to simplification II. Example of inputs: major preoccupations of companies

3. 3 I. A shift in the approach to simplification

4. 4 Shifting emphasis (1/3): Towards a more “client oriented approach” The priority of simplification efforts: the users’ primary concerns regarding life-events (of companies, citizens, foundations or regional bodies) Reengineering priorities and action plans are chosen on the basis of inquiries and consultation of users The national database of IO is still used, but no longer as a single reference; the companies’ concerns are decisive for the choice of action plans

5. 5 Shifting emphasis (2/3): DGME, a simplification body organised to respond to users' expectations Three departments to turn the expectations of users into the engine of simplification: —Dept. of Innovation: Organises inquiries and consultation of users about their expectations; analyses them and chooses the reengineering priorities —Dept. of Projects: Prepares concrete action plans for the reengineering priorities identified by Innovation; follows the implementation of the action plans up to the completion —Dept. of Counselling/Consulting: Accompanies the ministries in implementation of action plans, provides methodological support

6. 6 Shifting emphasis (3/3): The place of measurement in the new settings Since are priorities determined more by users’ expectations, measuring exercise is now only an indicative, not prevailing phase of reengineering In some specific cases, measurement is still used to determine the direction of reengineering efforts (i.e.: when data on users’ expectations is not sufficient or not clear enough) The 25% reduction target remains intact and we are going to evaluate the actual impact of the reengineering process

7. 7 II. “Life-events” approach: Major preoccupations of French companies

8. 8 Life-events of companies: Above average complexity Average expressed complexity: 43%

9. 9 Life-events of companies: Below average complexity

10. 10 Priority concerns among companies + - % of estimated complexity Taxes Social security contributions Recruitment Staff training Remuneration Company creation Environmental standards and measures Purchase of property or real estate Staff working conditions Redundancy Sale of products Company transfer Import / Export Construction Suspension of payments Legal proceedings Brand protection Public finances New subsidiary Frequent procedures considered to be simpler Infrequent procedures considered to be complicated Infrequent procedures considered to be simpler Closing of accounts Frequent procedures considered to be complicated Line of prioritization % of participating companies* +-

11. 11 Priority improvements to be made according to companies (across all the procedures)

12. 12 Thank you for your attention! Denis Besnainou denis.besnainou@finances.gouv.fr