September-December 2002
Restructuring of Survey of India (SoI) and Capacity Building

Background and Objective

SOI had recognised that a critical review was required in respect of its mandate, mission, method of work, and professional and organisational structure to meet the user needs. Hence, the aim was to develop a strategic plan for the re-engineering of SOl to make it a user-responsive organisation for sustainable economic growth of the country at local, regional, and national level. It was proposed to build strategy to chalk out the changing mandate and mission of SOI, new products and services expected by the users, methods of work, different options for financing SOl activities, professional restructuring of SOI Staff and organisational capacity building required for SOI.

CSDMS was invited to partner with SOI to lead the process of the strategy building. CSDMS has been involved in research and documentation of the use of GIS, remote sensing and surveying for decision-making for development. CSDMS has been Task Force member of NSDI (the only non governmental organisation in the Task Force). CSDMS's dedicated research and analysis in this domain has helped to build a knowledge repository on GIS and remote sensing for decision-making, and build the organisation's deep understanding of the various use and relevance of GIS and remote sensing, strengths and weaknesses of the tool and the various programmes that has been implemented, key issues involved, latest technologies available in the market etc. CSDMS has been continuously organising national and international conferences and consultative discussion forums for facilitating knowledge exchange, policy advocacy and business collaborations in GIS, remote sensing, surveying.

Methodology

As a part of this activity of strategy building, CSDMS carried out the following

Background study that served to assess the existing role of the SOI and identify the key areas that needed intervention for re-engineering
2. Stakeholder consultation to explore new ideas of re-engineering of SOI and build consensus on the keys areas and methods of intervention
3. Along with SOI and key experts from India, drafted a strategy for re-engineering of SOI
4. Built a capacity building plan for the SOI

Reccomendations

In view of the emerging challenges due to the changed mandate, mission, organisational structure, method of work and financial aspects, due emphasis was required be given on capacity building of the SOI at different levels namely; organisational capacity building, infrastructure capacity building, professional capacity building, capacity building in training and commercial capacity building.

Various recommendations within capacity building included creating a new environment for a flexible, dynamic and vibrant approach to meet the market needs and sustenance, regular interactions to instill new work culture among all sections of the organisation, involve staff in decision making, introduce process to induce a sense of belonging and accountability and regular dissemination of information in respect of the activities through conferences, workshops and informal meetings to build a cohesive worker-manager relationship and thus create a conducive atmosphere to bring in the envisaged changes. It was also recommended to encourage sections of the officers and staff be encouraged to keep abreast with latest trends in the art of technology; that they are deputed to participate in active knowledge sharing and skill building programmes and they be provided production oriented incentives and encouragement.

As a part of capacity building plan, it was also recommended that special courses and training are designed for staff the officers and staff be available for carrying out its activities with the shortest possible training period. While attempting this, the quality of training may not be compromised but at the same time redundant curriculum is to be avoided. It was also recommended that aspects of financial management, costing, work culture, material handling etc. be incorporated in the course curriculum in addition to the technical aspects, that short duration modular courses be introduced and research oriented programmes be introduced to facilitate its own officers/staff and other scholars from universities/ institutions to enhance the professional capabilities.

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