eGovernment Solutions
Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) for Development
Since 1989, we have been involved in building the common information infrastructure in the Canadian federal government with an objective to build its capability and capacity to provide services in the knowledge-based economy. Starting with formulating a ‘common information management’ strategy for the federal government in 1989 through the Advisory Committee for Information Management (ACIM), we have been engaged in a number of foundation projects to build policies, governance framework, work plans, organizational structures, and blueprints for action. The introduction of Internet and intranet technologies has given a boost to the implementation of several of our completed strategies and recommendations. Facilitation and negotiations in a number of inter-departmental committees achieved consensus on several strategies and work plans. Some of the sample projects include the following:
· Informatics Organizational Review
· Corporate Approach to Project Management
· IM/IT Planning System
· Information Management Planning Framework
· Knowledge Management Framework
· Information Management Plan
· Strategy and Work Plan for a Departmental CIO
· Investment Fund Strategy for an Informatics Organization in a Department
· IM/IT Infrastructure Sub Committee Program
· Treasury Board Secretariat’s Information Management Program
· Common Reference Data Definitions for Government-wide Applications
· Competency Centre for Informatics Best Practices
· Departmental Integrators Work Program
· Canadian Information Infrastructure Strategy
· Common Information Management Strategy
· Common Data Administration Centre – a Feasibility and Operating Framework
· Common Telecommunications Management Strategy
· Information Holding Management – a Requirements Definition
In a large, diversified project for the Department of Justice, SystemStrategies provided the services of a Senior Project Manager. This project with a budget in excess of $150 million included a large information systems portion, training for 79,000 persons, development and implementation of regulations, and a large public and internal communications component. The program involved five federal government departments and all provincial and territorial governments in its planning and implementation. SystemStrategies involvement lasted three years.
SystemStrategies carried out a detailed feasibility study on the opportunities for improvement in the distribution operation in the Indian State of Rajasthan. The project lasted two years and was completed in March 2000. The study was focused on analysing in-depth the issues that impact the distribution services of Rajasthan State Electricity Board (RSEB). The project provided RSEB with a context for addressing several organizational and political challenges related to privatization, tariff, customer services, employee performance, quality of power supply and overall management. In addition, the project was to provide a basis for investment decisions to support the power sector reform program in the State of Rajasthan, and to develop a Model Division that would become a showcase of best practices for other States and countries. The total cost for implementing distribution reform was estimated at approximately $600 million.
We designed, managed and chaired the Strategic Information Management Program (SIMP), a CIDA initiative, for two years in a row (2002 and 2003). It is usually attended by over 30 senior executives from over 20 developing countries from all continents. The theme of SIMP is centered on ICT for development, intended to strengthen the capacity of participating countries to build information management infrastructure needed to support government and development initiatives. The program is structured to enable participants examine Canadian experience in ICT and apply and adapt that experience to address problems and issues in their own environment. It is a comprehensive program that includes a three-week in-residence conference program with the participation and involvement of senior Canadian government officials and management consultants, individual mentoring and coaching, and study tours. The delegates work in small groups to share knowledge amongst each other on common issues and strategies. Delegates also create individual action plans for implementation on their return to their home countries. SIMP is an award-wining program and is highly respected in the international community.