Appendix 3. Summary of Related Planning Processes

Human Resource Management Plan Summary

In September 2003, the ministry initiated its second annual employee satisfaction survey to measure the results of the year's HRMP initiatives and any change in employee satisfaction. Members of the ministry's HRMP working group, comprised of both management and staff, will utilize the results of the survey to develop specific action plans to address areas of employee concern or potential opportunity. Survey results are also being shared with all members of the ministry to foster ongoing communication and support organizational development.

The ministry has the following goals:

1. To establish, define and communicate management leadership competency requirements. The survey measures the percentage of staff satisfied that leadership, learning and development strategies and opportunities are available. In the September 2003 survey, 55 per cent of ministry staff were satisfied or very satisfied that leadership learning and development opportunities were available. Our target is to see an increase to 70 per cent in 2005/06 and 80 per cent in 2006/07 as management works to create this environment.

2. To create a performance-focused workforce. Achievement of this goal is linked to employees in the ministry having and using a personal Employee Performance and Development Plan and receiving a regular flow of information on the ministry HR plan and how it links to the service plan. In September 2003, 59 per cent of staff had a personal EPDP. Expansion of the performance and development planning initiative to include all management and staff within the ministry is scheduled for completion by March 2004.

3. To develop a learning and innovative organization. This goal will be achieved by providing staff with information and access to development, training and learning opportunities. Success will be measured by the percentage of staff who are satisfied that learning and development opportunities are accessible to them. The September 2003 survey indicated that 44 per cent of employees were satisfied with achievement of this goal. Future year targets are to increase satisfaction to 70 per cent in 2004/05 and 75 per cent in 2005/06.

4. Flexible and motivating workplace. Continuing to exceed our clients' needs requires the extraordinary commitment of our employees. The ministry has adopted a number of initiatives in order to better balance the work contributions of our staff with their personal and professional needs including expansion of flexible work hours, job sharing, lateral transfers and staff recognition programs. This collaborative and individualized approach is expected to build upon the results of the September 2003 survey, which found that 68 per cent of staff found purpose and meaning in their work and 75 per cent were satisfied with their current work arrangements. Targets have been established over the next three years to increase staff satisfaction with both of these issues by 5 percentage points annually.

Human Resource Management continues to be an important element of ministry administration and receives regular executive attention.

Information Resource Management Plan Summary

Information management and technology planning is critical to achieving the objectives in this service plan. The Ministry of Finance will undertake the following strategic information management and technology investments to improve services to the public:

• OneStop Business Services: provides integrated information and registration services for business primarily designed to allow British Columbia entrepreneurs, owners and operators to interact more easily, expediently and efficiently with government at all levels
• Corporate Online (COLIN): development to support the new Business Corporations Act. This system will integrate with other services, such as OneStop Business services and BC government authentication services to provide more seamless service to businesses
• Electronic Banking Initiatives: projects to (i) increase government use of e-banking services such as Internet payments, telephone/PC banking services, and pre-authorized debit; (ii) increase the functionality of these services; and (iii) investigate new services such as Internet debit card payment. As British Columbia's government departments make use of these services, citizens and businesses will be able to complete more transactions and obtain more services completely online
• Migration of web content to the enterprise portal: to allow easier access to information and services to the public sector, businesses and the public.

The ministry will support government initiatives to provide electronic service delivery to the public, while being mindful of security management requirements. This will be accomplished through implementation of a self-service model for access to business services, provision of financial and economic reports, conversion from paper forms to electronic forms, and facilitation of electronic financial transactions. The ministry will also promote greater access to information of public interest through electronic means.

The Ministry of Finance will undertake the following strategic information management and technology investments to improve internal operations within the public sector for improved money management, increased efficiency, and improved management of risk:

• Debt Management System: will support proactive debt and derivative portfolio management and performance measurement
• Payment Review System: expand the post-payment auditing of payments to include both high and low risk payments to vendors and employees, in addition to travel payments. This includes post-payment review of electronic payments made within the new expenditure authority control framework
• Enterprise Risk Management System: continue to support implementation of enterprise-wide risk management practices and processes
• Internal sharing of data for more efficient financial reporting.

The ministry will continue to support and promote government information sharing initiatives and cross-government systems for increased efficiencies and to better serve the public. Integration of business systems, internal sharing of data, and development of a framework for adoption of the government wide Electronic Document and Records Management System are examples of this support.

The ministry supports the use of information management and information technology to drive better service to the public, improve our performance, and better manage business risk.