ADMINISTRATORS are set to benefit from the work of a key new team.

Earlier this year DGPERS authorised the establishment of the Army Implementation Team, led by LTCOL Rob De Haas and comprising of MAJ Gokhan Yildiz, MAJ Hannah MacKenzie, CAPT Julie Piggott, WOl Simon Wilson and W02 Rhonda Hoyle.

The team aims to provide a direct Army perspective on the many diverse issues that will affect the way army conducts business with PMKeyS.

The team is currently focussed on the provision of advice and guidance to hands-on users of PMKeyS once it is introduced. To that end, the team has conducted a number of visits to military areas in North and South-East Queensland and Darwin. These visits were followed by a number of Army Business Process Workshops.

The purpose of the workshops was to supplement users' knowledge of PMKeyS and to discuss the application of the five modules which will be delivered to Army in the ADFHR phase: Personnel Administration, Leave, Career Management, Professional Development and Training, and Organisational Structures.

WO2 Mike Rigby, 11CSSB, said prior to the workshop he considered PMKeyS to be just another administrative system and not really required. The initial functionality training and subsequent business workshops provided him with information to better understand the benefits of the system.

"It's a live system so now everything will be as up-to-date as yesterday, it is more user-friendly and simply easier to understand than AUSMIS," he said.

A training database was used to demonstrate the application of the Pers Admin and Leave modules in particular. This enabled users to identify anticipated changes to Army business practices after roll-out of PMKeyS. Workshop attendees are encouraged to provide input and their own perspective on those changes to current Army practices which will flow from the introduction of PMKeyS.

WO2 Eric Brown, 4 Fd Regt, said initially, he had fears about the lack of information, training and direction supplied for PMKeyS.

"Due to efforts of two members from Townsville to get (business process) training together and the workshop with WO2 Hoyle, I have a very positive outlook on the introduction of PMKeyS," he said.

This and other feedback from participating Army users and units has confirmed the success of the initial functionality training and Army business workshops. It also reflects the personal regard the users have in wanting to be involved with ensuring the successful implementation of the PMKeyS system.

It is important that Army users are aware there is an Army Implementation Team in place to represent and support all users in all areas relating to the implementation of PMKeyS. Users and units are encouraged to request guidance and refer any concerns or difficulties to the Army Implementation Team via the PMKeyS Communication Cell, pmkeys.project@defence.gov.au or on the web, http://defweb2.cbr.defence.gov.au/pmkeys.

The team is currently working on the production of an Army Business Guidance Handbook, which will be written with the same focus and using those outcomes achieved during the workshops. The Team will endeavor to produce and distribute these handbooks as soon as practicable.

By WO2 Rhonda Hoyle