CHAPTER 9 : INTERNAL PROJECTS AND SERVICES

This chapter gives details of Oftel's internal projects and services including the administrative infrastructure which supports Oftel's work programme.

PROJECTS

1. Personnel policy - Project manager: David Smith
- Project leader: Ros Saper

Project objective: To make better use of Oftel's most important resource - the staff - by providing the prospect of service with a good employer, offering challenge and reward and by continuing to develop a managerial, performance based approach whilst making Oftel a satisfying place in which to work.

Senior Civil Service:

Implement 1996 pay awards, notify staff and invite staff to sign contracts. By June 96

Staff - pay delegation from April 1996

Negotiate transitional arrangements for delegated pay pending the introduction of new pay and grading arrangements in 1997. By August 96

Staff - new pay and grading from August 1997

To carry out a full review of Oftel's pay and grading systems using job evaluation, and to introduce new arrangements most suited to meeting Oftel's needs. By August 97

Performance management

To introduce a revised staff appraisal system to support performance management. By November 96

2. Training - Project manager: David Smith
- Project leader: Jo Peel

Project objective: To meet the needs of staff by obtaining training from a wide range of sources, including tailor made programmes or individual courses designed either in-house or in association with external providers. Training will focus much more on the changing skills needed as Oftel itself changes to meet emerging challenges.

Re-launch open learning centre April 96

Establish a range of core training courses to include

Induction

Introduction to telecommunications technology

Appreciation of commercial accountancy

Appreciation of public law

UK&EC competition law & economics

Management skills programme

IT training From April 96

Arrange a variety of lunchtime seminars Ongoing

Arrange a programme of external telecommunications site visits Ongoing

3. Information systems strategy - Project manager: David Smith
- Project leader: Paul Dunn

Project objectives: Oftel's information systems strategy provides a framework for the planning, management and delivery of information systems and technology to meet Oftel's business needs. Key project objectives are: to get User Project Teams up and running to carry forward Oftel's priority Information System developments; to assist with the specification of user requirements and to take the lead in the design, development and implementation of systems selected for in-house delivery; to review the need for IT links with external organisations; and to improve the resilience and capacity of Oftel's networked Windows-based IT system to fully support new information system developments.

Appointment of Project Managers for all key system development projects and establishment of project teams to carry forward key projects (Competition Casework; Workflow; Cable/Satellite Compliance; Correspondence database systems). April 96

Recommend network performance and network resilience and security improvements June 96

Review and report on Oftel's future external communication needs (for example video conference and external E Mail links) October 96

Develop an improved Knowhow system based on document management system package November 96

4. Developing industry responsibilities - Project manager: Christine Farnish
- Project leader: Ros Badger

Project objective: As part of Oftel's intention to withdraw from detailed intrusive regulation this project will encourage the industry to take responsibility for the funding and management of various tasks and functions, some of which are currently performed by Oftel. The aim will be to achieve the right balance of responsibility between Oftel and the industry as the industry becomes increasingly mature and effective.

Investigate vires to set up alternative arrangements March-May 96

Discussions with the industry to explore the feasibility of setting up an industry body.

May-June 96

Complete the assessment of tasks and functions that it might be appropriate for the industry to assume responsibility for June 96

Work up detailed proposals July-September 96

Begin implementation October 96 - February 97

5. Review of standards work in Oftel - Project manager: Peter Walker
- Project leader: Fod Barnes

Project objective: To review Oftel's involvement in standards work and ensure it fully meets Oftel's objectives.

Fit with Oftel's objectives: This project is designed to ensure that standards work carried out fits with Oftel's objectives and is an efficient use of resources.

Consideration of Oftel's objectives in standards work, and formulation of agreed set of objectives April 96

Review of how far these objectives are being met and/or pursued by Oftel's current activity, and to consider who else might be in a better position to pursue these objectives.

May 96

Conclusions and formulation of implementation plan of any recommendations arising out of the above. June 96

6. Core briefing statistics for staff - Project manager and leader: David Redding

Project objective: To update and develop briefing aid document containing core statistics and facts for use of all Oftel staff.

Timescales

Quarterly - June 96, September 96, December 96, February 97.

SERVICES

Press Office

Oftel's press office currently produces about 60 press releases per year and briefs journalists to ensure that changes in the regulatory regime are understood and reported fairly to the public. It arranges the Director General's interviews on television, radio and with journalists. Over 50 publications are produced each year. Four issues of Oftel News are written, produced and distributed.

Library

The Library maintains the Public Register of licences and approvals. Enquiries, totalling around 1,200 per month, involve distribution of materials and the sale of Oftel publications and licences.

Legal services

Legal staff are responsible for the legal input required by Oftel in the course of the activities described in this Plan.

Administrative services

The infrastructure and support services required to run Oftel are provided by Personnel, Recruitment and Training Unit (PRTU), Office Services Unit (OSU), Finance and Accounts Unit (FAU) and Information Technology Unit (ITU).

Excluding projects outlined in this chapter, priorities for 1996/97 are to finalise the recruitment handbook; to develop further the new personnel database; to complete the business case for the introduction of resource accounting drawing on specified operational/customer requirements; to provide new specialist IT furniture across the office as necessary to meet EC Directive requirements; and to review travel service provision for the office.

Oftel plans to make more effective use of its modest manpower resources by introducing more flexible arrangements for the sharing of support staff across sections and branches. The aim is to provide better cover for staff absences and vacant posts and for managing peaks and troughs as work pressures fluctuate.

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