|
Chief Information Officer (CIO)
Key achievements in 2003
The Chief Information Officer (CIO) is one of the younger System
Office units. The position was created in late 2002. Since then
the CIO significantly helped to improve and streamline information
and knowledge management in the CGIAR through a number of initiatives,
including:
1. Development of an ICT-KM Strategy
The External Review Panel (ERP) that reviewed the ICT-KM 2004 Investment
Plan said, "The strategic ICT-KM/S process currently being
undertaken by the CGIAR shows that the organisation is a pioneer
in this area."
The CIO, with the support of the Advisory Group, developed a system-wide
ICT-KM rolling 3-year strategy aimed to foster global virtual team
effort across the Centers and partners, to improve effectiveness
and efficiencies, to reduce duplication, to improve decision making
and to nurture communities of practice and teamwork. The ICT-KM
strategy was approved by Center Directors' Committee (CDC) in May
2003 and generated a number of projects that aimed at three main
thrust areas: (1) ICT for Tomorrow's Science, (2) Content for Development,
and (3) A CGIAR Without Boundaries.
2. Improving System-wide efficiencies
In 2003, a number of efficiency gains were achieved. Some have a
clear cost-saving aspect, others offer better ways of doing business.
Among those some are worth mentioning:
- A new system-wide agreement to purchase Microsoft Products
- an initiative that brought overall estimated savings of US$ 1
million for the system.
· The creation of a consortium of CGIAR libraries. This consortium
has negotiated agreement for a number of journals and brought about
saving in the region of US$ 800,000 for the system.
- The contract with CGNET was streamlined. As a result some
savings were possible by identifying items that could be eliminated
from the billing without compromising the services provided. A new
creative approach is proposed in 2004 to provide more services at
more competitive prices.
- The IT managers have been implementing a system-wide 'Active
Directory' project that will allow traveling staff easier access
to computer resources in the various Centers.
- Center-based tools are being promoted for adoption at the
system level. For example, CIAT's Project Manager is now being adopted
by another 4 Centers. This new approach will help avoid 'reinventing
the wheel'.
3. Establishment of an ICT-KM Advisory Group
The ICT-KM Advisory Group (AG) is unique in the CGIAR and is the first
cross-functional community within the CGIAR. It is composed of elected
representatives from a broad range of communities of practice (CoP)
and management groups within the CGIAR. This precedent-setting process
has culminated in a plan that provides the opportunity for the CGIAR
to consult, collaborate, and learn from each other now and in the
future.
The ICT-KM Advisory Group has been set up to assist the CIO in
identifying priorities within the CGIAR system regarding ICT and
KM, to support the preparation of action plans and to champion their
implementation.
CIO in collaboration with other SO units
in 2003
Good Practice Notes - CIO and IAU
Following IT audits last year, four good practice notes in cooperation
with the CGIAR System Office Internal Audit Unit were produced in
the area of IT management ranging from IT Risk assessment to IT
Performance Indicators to IT Business Continuity Planning. These
notes are useful for helping to avoid unnecessary duplication and
for encouraging the adoption and adherence to best practices, standards,
policies and procedures.
Global Public Goods - CIO, CAS and IAU
Together with the CGIAR System Office Internal Audit Unit and Central
Advisory Service for Intellectual Property, a technical mission
was carried out to support the Centers in the implementation of
their Global Public Goods projects.
|
