As many readers will be aware DoHA has been tendering for assistance with the NEHRS.
You can read all about this Tender here:
As part of the process NEHTA have sent out some responses to questions from possible providers.
Two answers really amused me.
First we had this question and answer response from DoHA:
Q. What is the average skill level required by personnel working under this tender?
A. The average skill level is expected to be equivalent to the Department’s Executive Level 1 ranking. Positions of this level carry significant responsibility and therefore require a higher level of knowledge/qualifications, technical expertise, precision, accuracy and attention to detail. Work is carried out with a clear understanding of the impacts of performance and service delivery for the Department.
Given the importance of these roles to success I has assumed great seniority:
I am assured not so:
“EL 1 is just about the lowest of the low. When I worked at xxxx. the EL1 I worked with was an amateur who couldn't (wasn't allowed) to make decisions and even the Directors were a bit sus. And EL2s come between EL1 and Director.”
Some research reveals the salary level for EL1 being presently advertised is $95,000 to about $105,000. Really hardly a senior level and below all the Senior Executive Service etc.
Even more astonishing we have this:
Q. What is the eHealth Organisation structure?
A. See chart below.
(Sorry it is a bit blurred - you can actually make out most of the text of you expand the image by clicking on it. Using browser increase size also works!)
It is hard to know what to say about this chart. It seems this project is now consuming a vast number of people and if ever there was a Government out of its depth in delivering an e-Health project this has to be it.
The micro management of every aspect, and the apparent duplication of roles with what is being done by NEHTA and all the Contractors must mean a level of difficulty in getting things actually done would be very tricky indeed. They would all be tripping over each other.
Just read through the job roles and ask yourself how many people are in the Australian Public Service who could claim significant expertise in all these roles. We just don’t have them as far as I know and that just adds to the overall risk in my view. You can be sure there are a huge number of generalists just stumbling along and many of them being out of their depth.
Sorry DoHA, this is just not the way to deliver either a Health Program or an IT Project.
As another correspondent said when asked about the chart - ‘Sorry, its doomed’. I can’t but agree.
David.