OVERVIEW AND VISION

1
OVERVIEW AND VISION

• Module 2

2
IAS - CIS History

• January 2001 Three IAS teams formed
• February 2001 IAS teams meeting
• March 2001
• Requested list of all IAS component issues from
  states
• May 2001 IAS teams meeting
• Identified issues within IAS components
• Developed plans for improving OIP, TCAS, PRMS,
  WFP, WMS, FFIS and other IAS components
• Developed plan for creating the CIS
• August 2001
• PRMS simplified data entry, map based data entry,
  and contributions

3
IAS - CIS History

• August 2001 TCAS revised to add location
  worked
• January 2002 - PRMS quarterly goals
• July 2002 TCAS PRMS farmbill revisions
• Conservation Information System
• March 2002 - Review by Budget-Finance officers
  in six states
• June 2002 Review by Operations team in six
  states
• August 2002 Released CIS to NRCS State Office
  leadership teams
• September 2002 Train the trainers on CIS

4
Major Information Components of the IAS
The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

• Strategic Plan sets the direction and focus for
  the agency.
• Business and Performance Plans database
• Work Load Analysis (WLA)
• Performance Results and Measurement System (PRMS)
  
• Total Cost Accounting System (TCAS)-
• Foundation Financial Information System (FFIS)
• Combined Administrative Management System (CAMS)
• Workforce Planning (WFP)
• Program databases for WRP, WHIP, CRP, EQIP,
  Watersheds, RCD, etc.

5
Accountability System Purpose

• Establish budget and program credibility
• Link Agency performance to strategic plan goals
• Analyzes NRCS and Partner Workload
• Account for time and funding
• Articulate accomplishments
• Link changes in funding and workload

6
Benefits of an Integrated Accountability System

• Informed decision-making
• Time saved entering/accessing data
• Minimal data entry
• Simplified key management data
• Standard management reports
• Secure, appropriate access levels
• Open access to data

7
Goals For the IAS Teams

• Create an Executive Information System
• Fully Integrate All Components of the
  Accountability System

8
Integrated Accountability System Teams

• IAS Field Steering Team - Identifies improvements
  and provides guidance for EIS Needs
• IAS Implementation Team (Division Director Level)
  Provides staff and expertise to make improvements
• IAS Ad Hoc Implementation Team - Consists of IAS
  component leaders

9
IAS Field Steering Team Members

• Dan Runnels IAS Field Steering Team Leader
• Apolonio Miranda District Conservationist, Kansas
• David Elliot Soil Conservation Technician,
  Alabama
• Kim Brannen FOCS Coordinator, South Dakota
• Marsha Roll State IAS Coordinator, Des Moines, IA
• Tish Toomer Economist, Richmond, Virginia
• Jackie Pashnik GIS Specialist, Rhode Island
• Marlin Jordan ASTC, Louisiana
• Lori Chavez NRI Specialist, Madison, Wisconsin
• Lauri Ho RCD Coordinator, Hawaii
• Tom Rabel Webster Soil Conservation District,
  Point Pleasant, West Virginia

10
IAS Implementation Team Members

• Diane Gelburd Director, Ecological Sciences
  Division,
• Jack Crews Director, Financial Management
  Division
• Mary Thomas Chief Information Officer
• Karen Karlinchak Director, Human Resources
• Ann Dubey Director, Budget Planning and
  Analysis
• Dan Lawson Director, Strategic and Performance
  Planning Division
• George Rohaley Acting Director, Resource
  Inventory Division
• Jose Acevedo Associate Chief, Programs
• Jack Carlson Director, Information Technology
  Center
• Edward Biggers Director, Management Services
  Divsion
• Andrew Johnson Director, Civil Rights Division
• Horace Smith Director, Soil Survey Division
• Angela Gray Team Leader, Allocations Team
• Joan Comanor Director, RC and D Division
• Steve Probst Soil Conservationist, OMOD
• Ken Tootle IAS Coordinator And Team Leader

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IAS Ad Hoc Implementation Team Members

• Ken Tootle Integrated Accountability System
  Coordinator
• Debbie Curtis FFIS Representative
• Hans Heidenreich CAMS Representative
• Diane Anderson WFP Representative
• Dale Miller TCAS Representative
• Toni Beaton Budget Formulation Representative
• Jon Vrana PRMS Coordinator
• Dave McKay Programs
• Mike Kolman Performance Measurement
• Patty Durana PRMS Outcomes Representative
• Dan Runnels WLA Representative
• Harrell Geron WLMA Representative
• Steve Probst Business and Performance Plans
  Representative
• Marjorie Harper NRI Representative
• Terry DAddio RCD Representative
• Wendall Oaks ITC FTC Representative
• Harry Slawter National Wetland Wildlife
  Programs Leader

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Guiding Principles

• No Sacred Cows (The team could revise any of the
  accountability systems.)
• No duplication of data entry.
• Minimize reporting burden on field staff.
• Use data from existing sources whenever possible.
• Meets customer needs, including the conservation
  partners
• Provides simplified use of key management data at
  all levels

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Guiding Principles, (cont)

• System should flexible and adaptable
• Eliminate side records
• Collect only that data essential for
  accountability (inputs, outputs and
  accomplishments).
• Provides for easy access and less time required
  for all users to enter or access data
• Eliminates the entry of duplicate data between
  business area databases
• Contains links to all of the data in one central
  location

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Vision for the Executive Information System

• An Executive Information System is a tool that
  provides direct on-line access to relevant
  information in a useful and navigable format.
• An EIS is timely, accurate, and navigable.
• Provides data for management at all levels of the
  conservation partnership
• The name for our conservation partnerships EIS
  is the Conservation Information System (CIS)

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CIS User Groups

• The NRCS Conservation Information System (CIS)
  should accommodate the following
• Congress
• NRCS and District Field Employees
• Top Management
• National, Regional, and State Office Employees
• Conservation Partners
• General Public (linked to FirstGov)

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Key Tasks For Completing CIS

• Complete the integration of information between
  all the components of the IAS
• Availability of all components through a Web Farm
  
• Each component needs to have a Web Based
  Interface for all Components
• Determine management information needed at each
  level of the agency and partnership
• Develop needed data
• Provide data through CIS Portal Concept

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Key Accountability Questions

• What are the technical assistance costs and
  associated support costs for each program this
  year?
• On What programs and activities are NRCS
  employees spending their time?
• What are the daily accomplishments towards
  achieving performance targets by NRCS and the
  conservation partnership?
• How many funds have been allocated and how much
  of the funds have been obligated? (Under
  development)

18
Key Accountability Questions

• How many funds have our partners and others
  contributed to our programs?
• How many direct and reimbursable dollars have
  been outlaid for this fiscal year?
• What are the costs and staff years worked for
  NRCS staff by organization level and functions?
• What are the technical assistance costs,
  obligations, and outlays by organization level
  and function for NRCS programs?

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IAS - Whats Next

• Conservation Journal A field tool that allows
  TCAS and PRMS entry in one location
• Programs Operation Information Tracking System
  (POINTS)
• A consolidated system that provides all program
  information in one location
• Populated by E-Contracts, Toolkit, and POINTS
  data entry screens
• Provides accountability for farmbill programs

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Accountability GeoData Viewer
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IAS - Whats Next

• Data Warehouse expansion
• Central access to all IAS data
• Allows creation of Activity Based costing and
  Total cost of programs reports and models
• Provides information for additional CIS reports
• Conservation Information System Phase 2
• Additional combination reports such as an TCAS
  planning efficiency report that compares acres
  planned vs TCAS Planning time
• Answer other key accountability questions
• Incorporate key program information from POINTS
  and outcomes

22
CIS Implementation Timeline
Milestones Date CIS online and accessible
with PRMS leadership level of security August
6 Announcement by bulletin that CIS is available
for State Leadership August 9 Develop marketing
plan August 30 Rollout to CET - Executive
presentation September 3 NHQ train the trainer
session September 5 Train the trainer
sessions in East and West September 9-13 Begin
evaluation period by state leadership September
16 WEBCAAF- Security System online October
1 CIS report availability decisions for WEBCAAF
implementation October 1 Revise CIS for WEBCAAF
security levels October 21 State leadership and
above review comments due November 1 Revise CIS
based on comments December 2 Revise training
materials provide to state trainers December
16 Open CIS to field level use with
training January
23
Thank you!