'Lab' Test For KPI's Before Roll Out

By V. Vasudevan

PUTRAJAYA: The government is taking a different approach to find new ideas to implement its key performance indicators.This will involve its newly formed Performance Management and Delivery Unit (Pemandu) doing extensive experimentation before implementing any ideas so that the initiatives are achieved.Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Datuk Seri Idris Jala said the old method of forming a task force was outdated because "when we implement the ideas we find problems coming up".Under the new approach, he said there would be a lot of discussions about any idea before we implement.Ministers in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon (left) and Datuk Seri Idris Jala explaining the eight ‘laboratories’ that will find new ways to implement the key performance indicators.Ministers in the Prime Minister’s Department Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon (left) and Datuk Seri Idris Jala explaining the eight ‘laboratories’ that will find new ways to implement the key performance indicators."The problem is identified in the 'laboratory' before we implement any idea."He said that over the next 100 days Pemandu would be setting up eight "laboratories".Six will focus on the National Key Results Areas while of the other two, one will focus on 1Malaysia and Unity and the other on data management.Idris said the eight NKRA laboratories would start simultaneously next month. Each one will have 20 participants, drawn from the best in the civil service."They will work towards clearly defined deliverable goals with highly transparent and intensive monitoring of progress," he said at a joint press conference with Minister in the Prime Minister's Department in charge of National Unity and Performance Management Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon here yesterday.Idris said the laboratories would build on work done, experience and insight gained by members of the civil service, with participants adopting intense open debates and a "hands on deck" approach.Once the laboratories were completed, he said an "open house" would be held to present the findings to interest groups like non-governmental organisations, the media and the public for feedback.Once the findings and results were complete the implementation phase would be launched."The implementation phase will include the roll-out of the 1Malaysia government transformation road-map, giving a comprehensive overview of the government's priorities, including broader reform and delivery efforts as delivery plans for each of the six NKRAs."Idris said the roadmap would be released beginning of next year.Earlier, Koh said Pemandu would adopt a hybrid model manned by the brightest from the civil service and private sector.He said the recruitment for Pemandu had begun with advertisements appearing in major dailies yesterday.

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