DEVMODL: A Model for Y2k for Developing Countries

PROPOSAL:

Develop a Model and Toolkit for Addressing the Y2k problem in Developing Countries

DESCRIPTION OF ACTIVITY

To provide a minimum cost solution to enable Governments of Developing Countries to establish competence in addressing Y2k problems.

PROPONENT

Name of Proponent: James Christopher Anderson
Email: slug@fast.co.za
Organisation: Y2K CINDERELLA PROJECT

ABSTRACT

A plan to provide Governments of Developing Countries with a structure and methodology to enable a Solution for the Y2k problem.

Essential aspects are:

1. Simplicity
2. Speed
3. Practicality
4. Minimum cost

STAFFING

Each Government to provide 1 x Project Manager, and Technical and administrative staff as appropriate to scope of effort.

Government resources for Communications and Media campaigns appropriate to scope of effort.

Email and Internet access, appropriate Admin and Communiications facilities.

TIMETABLE

Project must be set up within 3 months.
July 1 1998 is "drop dead" date to support mainframes.
First milestone: Awareness campaign (start latest June 1998)
Second milestone: Critical Risk Status (after 6 months)
Third milestone: Plannned activities on target (ongoing)
Final milestone: Readiness (Mid 1999)

BUDGET

Adequate budget provisions to be made by apprpriate government.

DESCRIPTION OF PROJECT

PREAMBLE:

The implementation of a solution set for the Y2k problem for Developing Countries has certain constraints.

1. Committment. The potential for economic damage and and factual existance of the problem is known. However, there is a severe lack of awareness and total lack of committment.

2. Time. The technical constraints imposed by the problem imply that immediate action must be taken. July 1 1998 is probably the last date by which an effective plan can be mounted. After that, Triage and action by Priority will be necessary.

3. Mixed environment. Mainframes and PC/Lan systems have totally different problem sets and must be handled separately.

4. Budget. The lateness of the approach may cause difficulties with budgeting. Budgetary allocations for the next 18 months have already been made.

5. Skills. Y2k skills are not readily available in the affected areas. A communications network will be necessary to provide remote support for technical issues.

6. Staffing. Skilled resource will be difficult to obtain in light of existing world-wide shortages and escalating rates

7. How to "Sell" this concept. The "Marketing" or "persuasive" aspects of "selling" any solution to affected governments must be addressed.

METHOD

Each affected Government will set up a Competence Centre (Y2k Centre) with the following objectives:

- reporting to Cabinet
- six weekly report back to Government
- own discretionary budget
- competent to manage a National Emergency
- powers to compel testimony

COMPETENCE CENTRE MISSION:

1. to identify and monitor Risks to Infrastructure
2. to promote awareness of Y2k across all economic sectors
3. to identify and report back on Problem Situations
4. to coordinate a master plan (timetable) for Government
   departmental remediation
5. to recommend Strategic action plans to avoid disasters
6. to investigate and recommend Contingency Plans
7. to develop Competence and disseminate Information
8. to man a "Hotline" and National Support Centre
9. to assess and if necessary Certify Compliance
10. To coordinate a National Risk Assessment Document, by
    Economic Sector

ECONOMIC SECTORS

1. Each Economic Sector to establish a coordinating body consisting of corporate representatives, special trade interest magazines and newspapers and professional representative bodies.

2. This coordinating body to liase with the Y2k Centre to identify special Y2k problems and risks within the industry sector and assist in the Awareness campaign and compilation of the National Risk Assesment Document.

PRELIMINARY LIST OF ECONOMIC SECTORS

CENTRAL GOVERNMENT
REGIONAL GOVERNMENT
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
ELECTRICITY
WATER
TRANSPORT
TELECOMMS
HEALTH
ACRICULTURE
RETAIL
PETROCHEMICAL
MANUFACTURING
LEGAL
ACCOUNTING
GENERAL PUBLIC

COMPETENCE CENTRE DELIVERABLES

PRESENTATIONS:

1. Introduction to the Y2k Competence Centre Methodology
2. Year 2000 Tutorial
3. Year 2000 Solutiuons for Small Business
4. Skills for Y2k
5. Effective Systems Testing

SUPPORT FOR Y2k LIFE CYCLE


AWARENESS
ASSESSMENT
REMEDIATION
VALIDATION
TESTING
IMPLEMENTATION

INFORMATIONAL DATABASES

List of Y2k-related Articles
List of Y2k-related Websites
Consolidated Compliance Statements Database
Consolidated Embedded Systems Database
Consolidated Medical Equipment Database
List of Authorised Business Analysts
List of Authorised Remediation Service providers
List of Current Y2k-related Tenders

DOCUMENTATION

Standards
Evaluation of Tools
Glossary of Terms

PROCEDURES

Testing Procedures

REGIONAL CENTRES OF COMPETENCE

Establish branch operations in Regions

COMPLIANCE

Local Definition
Local Contract Warrant Wording

NATIONAL RISK ASSESSMENT DOCUMENT

NATIONAL Y2k PROJECT PLAN

Immediate Start: 470 working days
Late start: 394 working days
Drop Dead date: 1998-07-01

Support for Y2k Life Cycle:

Early Start Late Start Target     Milestone
1998-03-17 1998-05-01 2000-01-03  AWARENESS
1998-03-17 1998-05-01 2000-01-03  ASSESSMENT
1998-03-17 1998-07-01 2000-01-03  REMEDIATION
1998-03-17 1998-07-01 2000-01-03  VALIDATION
1998-03-17 1998-07-01 2000-01-03  TESTING
1998-03-17 1998-07-01 2000-01-03  IMPLEMENTATION

                                        OPTIONAL MILESTONES

1999-03-17 1998-07-01 1999-01-01  Year End Testing
1998-03-17 1998-07-01 1999-01-01  Euro compatibility

CONSTRAINTS

Project must be set up within 3 months.
July 1 1998 is "drop dead" date to support mainframes.
First milestone: Awareness campaign (start latest June 1998)
Second milestone: Critical Risk Status (after 6 months)
Third milestone: Plannned activities on target (ongoing)
Final milestone: Readiness (Mid 1999)

STRATEGIC Y2k COMPETENCE CENTRE ACTIONS

Task the National Standards and Testing Authority to devise a suitable protocol for detection, remediation and Certification of Embedded and Medical Systems.

Task the National Medical Council to certify Medical Devices.

ACCOUNTABILITY

Auditor General to appoint Professional Auditors to evaluate each Government project:

Fitness and completeness (at planning stage)
Viability (on Project setup)
Effectiveness based on Mesurement against Objectives
  (every 3 months)

GEOGRAPHIC SCOPE

Primary target is Africa
Applicable to any developing country