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What is the mandate of the Streamlining Forest Information Project? |
This project leads and supports streamlined forest information requirements and business processes. It also seeks improvements in the business tools used for forest information management.
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How did this project get started? |
During the development of Forest & Range Practices Act (FRPA) legislation, a number of notification and reporting issues surfaced. The loss of the routinely submitted silviculture prescription left a number of business areas needing to share information that was previously readily available. In addition, there was a desire to reduce administrative costs associated with information submission and transfer. As a result, this project was sponsored by the Chief Forester in April of 2003.
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With all the changes that are happening, why "streamline" now? |
There are so many changes to the legislation and information systems and technology, that there is no 'status quo'. We have heard loud and clear from field staff that they want the procedures and tools to do their jobs with less frustration and inefficiency. We've also heard from their industry counterparts that they want to interact with government in a simple, effective and cost efficient manner. In order to achieve this, information processes need to be integrated, consistent standards need to be developed and information requirements need to be rationalized.
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Is a purpose of this project to cut jobs? |
No, absolutely not. The goal is to cut frustration by eliminating processes and information requirements that don't have a good business case. It is hoped that resources will be freed up in both government and industry that can be better focused on core business rather than on cumbersome administrative tasks.
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Is this project coordinated with other "improvement" teams and initiatives? |
Yes. A great deal of project planning and communication has gone into ensuring that the Streamlining Project is focused on areas that aren't currently being carried out by other groups or processes. Where overlap has been identified, the Streamlining Project has taken on an encouragement and supporting role for the team or process carrying out the improvements to the business. It is important to recognize that all business areas have some form of continuous improvement in place and that this project is additional to those efforts.
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How will change be managed? |
It is not the mandate of this project to make fundamental changes to core forest management business. Improvements are sought in the execution of core business, not in the core business itself. For example, the approach to revenue, tenure, authorization, approval, C&E and silviculture will remain the same. Change based on Streamlining team proposals will be managed in a methodical and open manner. For example, changes to the systems or procedures will be brought in slowly with due consideration to time needed for training or transition.
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When will this project end? |
There are three phases to this project:
- Information collection and high-level recommendations; FRPA notification and reporting streamlined;
- Proposal development;
- Proposal Implementation (tool development).
During this final (third) phase of the project, the updated proposals are being transferred to responsibility centres for implementation. This project will end when there is a clear commitment to provide the suite of tools staff need to carry out their jobs effectively and efficiently. It is hoped this will be completed by the fall of 2005. Actual business tool implementation may take longer to manage methodically.
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