The Premier's Department Corporate Services Reform (CSR) Team has completed an examination of the potential process improvements and savings available through the use of web-based employee self service for Personnel and Payroll transactions. Some examples of the features made available by ESS are listed in the attachment to this circular. CSR's investigation of the technological options and costing of existing processes in a small number of agencies has confirmed that the benefits available to the public sector are substantial. One of the most important findings from this research was that these benefits can only be fully realised when the technology is introduced in conjunction with related business process redesign work.

A report summarising findings and a recommended strategy, including funding to establish a three year sector-wide implementation scheme for ESS, has been approved by the Budget Committee of Cabinet. As foreshadowed in Circular No. 99-19, a staged implementation is planned using a whole of government strategy to ensure that efficiencies in process redesign and reduced licencing costs are realised. Implementation will begin early in 2000 with a small number of demonstration projects in selected agencies that are 'ready' to go with ESS. The experience from these demonstration projects will serve as a model for full implementation across the NSW public sector. The whole of sector scheme will begin in July 2000 under the umbrella of the government's connect.nsw initiative. The scheme will be coordinated by the Corporate Services Reform (CSR) Team within Premier's Department and jointly overseen by CSR, DITM and Treasury.

The project report is currently being prepared for distribution across the sector in early 2000, together with details of the whole of sector funding scheme and an implementation methodology developed by the CSR Team.

Agencies interested in being considered for participation as one of the demonstration sites in early 2000 are invited to request the criteria for participation from the CSR team by 24 January 2000. Requests for the criteria or any other information should be made preferably by email to [email protected]. Otherwise contact Kim Smith (in December) on 9228 5133 or Jo Grisard (in January) on 9228 5130.

A joint CSR, DITM and Treasury team will assess interested agencies' current capacity for immediate implementation based on these criteria. Participating agencies will be selected and advised by the end of February and projects are expected to begin shortly thereafter.

Col Gellatly
Director-General

21/12/99

ATTACHMENT

EXAMPLES OF PERSONNEL AND PAYROLL TRANSACTIONS AVAILABLE ON LINE TO EMPLOYEES THROUGH ESS

On-line application and approval of leave forms for sick leave and recreation leave

On-line submission and approval for higher duties and overtime

On-line staff access to leave balances and the ability to track the status of leave applications, etc.

Electronic distribution of payslips

On-line access to personal information and the ability for staff to change details such as address, next of kin, bank accounts, miscellaneous deductions, etc.