Umoja: The Road to Stabilization

The Umoja Post-Implementation Review (UPIR) Task Force was created following the largest deployments of Umoja last year. The Task Force, comprised of staff members from various duty stations, meets by video-teleconference twice a month to discuss production issues.  A typical agenda covers the progress on Task Force actions, which is reported by each Process Owner. Feedback is received from the entities on issues relating to how the Organization is adapting to change.

The work plan for UPIR Task Force includes 67 high level recommendations (ranging from user specific time management issues to automated bank reconciliations).  Out of the 67 recommendations, 16 are either completed, awaiting confirmation for closure or well in progress towards completion at the end of June.  The work plan shows the Umoja Process Owners'' expectation to close 11 recommendations in July, 8 in August, 7 in September and 14 by the end of December. The remaining 11 items are categorised as long term or continuous improvements.

One of the top priorities for the Task Force continues to be Travel Management. Users will have seen a recent email from Umoja regarding travel issues, which are being addressed in detail by the Process Owner (OCSS). A dedicated team is analysing all travel documents in order to assist colleagues involved in trip processing and ticket billing.

Steady progress has been made in several other areas as well, including the efforts between OHRM and DGACM to create a detailed Job Aid for administration of short-term language staff, which will be available at the end of June a productive workshop took place to discuss and resolve issues relating to hiring of Consultants and Individual Contractors a payroll diagnostic tool is now available to all non-peacekeeping entities and MINUSTAH (for local staff payroll) and will aid in analysis and resolution of payroll issues enhancements to Business Intelligence tool to help users create customised reports.

These are just a few examples of continued efforts by the UPIR Task Force. For updates on the latest enhancements, please read the weekly Umoja Release Notes as well as new Umoja Job Aids on our website at http://umoja.un.org