Do you have an idea that can:-

· Reduce the number of forms that a citizen needs to fill in to apply and receive a service?

Improve a form that will speed up the delivery of a service?

· Reduce the number of times that a citizen has to visit a government office to finalise an

application for a service?

Reduce the paperwork that needs to completed and stored? Improve the time that it takes to finalise the processing of an application?

Then you should consider taking part in the first Red Tape Challenge.

 

 

I. Introduction

The Centre for Public Service Innovation (CPSI), in partnership with the Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) and the State Information Technology Agency (SITA) released the results of a study on red tape on 18 March 2004.The results of the study are published in a report entitled 'From RedTape to SMARTTope'. The report is the second in a series of Future Watch reports aimed at stimulating innovation in the public service.

A key message of the study is that the time is right for greater focus on improving the performance of the public service by tackling red tape. Increasingly, a number of other countries are prioritising red tape reform. Learning from these efforts, the report proposes a series of complementary strategies. Together, these strategies are aimed at making significant progress in reducing red tape in the medium to long-term.

Reform of red tape can take many forms. Some require major regulat9ry change, vertical and horizontal coordination across government, new technology, and even new types of organizations. However as highlighted in the report, there are hundreds of improvements can be achieved quickly and simply within a single organisation and even within a unit within an organization. Addressing these quick-wins is an important pillar of the red tape reform agenda.

Core to any strategy to reduce red tape is the insight and ideas of public service employees. Because you experience the frustration of red tape on a daily basis, we are looking for your ideas to reduce red tape.

 

2.A Step-by-Step Guide to the Challenge

Step I Identify a red tape problem in your area of work and a solution that can be quickly and easily implemented.

Step 2 -Attempt to secure the support of your DG or head of the institution for your idea. If you are not able to do this, you can still enter the challenge.

Step 3 - Submit your idea to Centre for Public Service Innovation (see section 4 for details). Use the guidelines in the next section (section 3.1) to structure your proposal.

Step 4 -The CPSI together with the DPSA, SITA, and other experts will review all proposals received and select between

3-8 of the ideas that meet the criteria outlined in section 4.1 for implementation. Employees whose proposals are selected

will immediately receive a challenge reward of R2,500 and the employee and idea will be profiled in the Service Delivery Review and Bua News.

Step 5-The CPSI, DPSA, and other partners will implement the idea. Resources and expertise required to implement the idea will be provided by the CPSI and DPSA.

Step 6 - After a short period of implementation (between 3-6 months), the project will be evaluated. Where a project was successfully implemented, the employee who proposed the idea will received a second challenge reward of R7,500. In addition, all employees who receive a second reward will stand a chance of being chosen to attend the prestigious CPSI Executive Development Programme on Innovation Management worth R25,000.

3.What to Include in your Proposals

3.1 Proposals should be short but concise (no more than 2000 words).The proposals should deal with the following:-

· A short description of the service or process where red tape has been identified;

The nature of the red tape, and the administrative burden that it imposes (i.e. on whom is the

burden imposed and the nature of the burden);

· The proposed red tape intervention - what steps need to be taken to reduce the red tape;

· What impact will the red tape intervention have, i.e. quicker turn-around times for services to

citizens, cheaper services, or better efficiency on the part of the organization in tracking and

addressing citizen needs and how can the impact be measured;

· The resources required for implementing the red tape intervention, and the time that it will take for results to be seen.

3.2. A panel consisting of the CPSI, DPSA and other suitable experts will review the proposals and select between 3-8 proposals that:

· Are clear and concise, i.e. the red tape intervention is clearly described and seems achievable;

· Where the written support of the DG or head of the organization is included or where the DPSA can secure this support;

· Can be achieved within 3 months;

· Where the required resources to successfully implement the pilot can be secured;

· Reflect that the intervention can yield sustainable benefits.

4.Where and when to submit your proposals

The closing date for proposals for the Challenge is Monday, 3 I May 2004 before I 2h00 noon.

All proposals MUST be submitted in hard copy format. Proposals only received inelectronic format will not be accepted. Submit three copies of your proposal, marked to the attention of Ms Bridgette Kekana, to either of the following address:

State Information Technology Agency

John Vorster Drive

Centurion

0046

Postnet Highveld Suite 404

Private Bag XIII

Centurion'

0046

Electronic copies of the proposals should be included either on CD-Rom or stiffy disk with the hard copy proposals, or e-mailed to Bridgette.Kekana@sita.co.za

 

 

 

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