Publication:Sea Talk Autumn 2006/SCIMARS goes to sea
By LCDR Anne Faulconbridge
In one of the latest Sea Change initiatives to improve availability of information to Navy and its people, the Sea Change Action Plan is now available on the Internet. The Sea Change Management and Reporting System (SCIMARS) can now be accessed through the Navy Internet site via the Navy People Online page - and direct using the URL www.navy.gov.au/SCIMARS
There are two reasons for doing this:
- Firstly, the informationis more accessible to people serving in Fleet units. This also gives seagoing people greater ability to find out what is going on, to ask questions and to make contributions to Sea Change;
- Secondly, availability on the Internet enables our people and their families to access information, and discuss the implications for them, from the comfort of their own homes, in their own time.
"The idea behind SCIMARS was to make what was happening in Sea Change visible to everyone in the Navy," said LCDR Ian Weekley from the Sea Change Implementation Team (SCIT). "There was also the need to identify who was to be accountable for results and who would be responsible for managing the activities and reporting on progress. So the idea of making the activity managers responsible for setting the goals and reporting on progress led to the need for a web-based system."
While getting SCIMARS on to the Defence Restricted Net (DRN) was relatively easy, getting greater visibility for ships at sea was not. However, the new CN, VADM Shalders, AO, CSC, RAN insisted that this was a priority requirement. CN also agreed with his predecessor that the information should be available to our people and their families at home. Therefore, with the cooperation of the Fleet Information System Support Office (FISSO) and the Systems Command Information Manager (DCIM), a way ahead was found late last year.
In effect, SCIMARS became, and still is, a 'concept demonstrator.' It shows that within Navy, transparency in planning and compliance reporting of activities can be successful.
There is no double handling of information. Once entered, it is readable by all. Behind the scenes, several people can enter data on behalf of the responsible Action Item Manager (AIM). The milestone management tools enable the AIM to keep track of progress so Status Reports can be kept up to date.
The traffic light system enables everyone to see an overall picture at a glance. It also draws the attention of the Action Officers (the one-star officers who are accountable for the Key Action Items) to areas where their attention might need to be focussed, due to either falling behind schedule or where a "well done" might be in order.
Feedback from the Navy is one of the special features of SCIMARS. It is, in effect, an on-line suggestion box. It has proven that a system can work and that people want and do use a facility to comment on and contribute to what is going on. The SCIT responds to 100% of feedback emails received.
"Feedback is a unique and very important part of the Sea Change program, " says WO Bob Barb from SCIT who is responsible for coordinating responses."
"It is important to understand the issues and concerns of all Navy people. Communication and leadership are the key elements of any successful change program. Continuation of the two way flow of communication through SCIMARS is essential if the program is to meet expectations of our people and their families".
So what's next for SCIMARS? The first thing is some enhancement and improvement to the current system based on lessons learned and on feedback. The next step will be an on-line satisfaction survey.
"Sea Change Action Officers agreed late last year on the need to find out what people think of Sea Change and what parts of it are good and what needs to be improved," said LCDR Weekley. "The first step will be an on-line questionnaire. The idea is to make it even easier for people to get their message across."
The Directorate of Strategic Personnel Plans and Research from Defence HQ assisted the SCIT in developing the questionnaire. Improving the gathering, collating and analysis of statistics of use of the Sea Change sites and SCIMARS database on both the Internet and Intranet has not been as easy.
But the original developers of the website, the Frame Group, advises that their solution will 'create more detailed and more easily-tailored reports, and being generated live, allows the user greater flexibility in being able to filter these reports.'
Our next aim, says LCDR Weekley, is to assist Navy HQ in developing a digital on-line management system for Plan Green so that Sea Change progress can be reported direct to the Navy Balanced Scorecard.
In his presentation to the Defence Senior Leadership Group on August 4 last year, VADM Shalders said: "The Sea Change initiatives.... are therefore at the top of my pile in terms of things I need to drive and aggressively prosecute. I will do that! "
At the end of January Admiral Shalders said :"Sea Change is about retention".
Navy's continuing commitment to achieving the Sea Change aim was demonstrated on February 13: CDRE Clint Thomas started work in the new position of Head of Sea Change Implementation Team (HSCIT see p. 3). HSCIT will take stock of all that Sea Change has, and has not, achieved so far.
People are Navy's Capability, now and in the future. Sea Change is focussed on improving things so that the people Navy wants stay in the Navy. Some major improvements and adjustments have yet to be made in order to improve stability, certainty and satisfaction.
To assist, Navy people and their families are encouraged to use the Sea Change SCIMARS website. Find out what's going on. Have your say. Make your contribution to the Sea Change program at www.navy.gov.au/SCIMARS
