A damning report on the failure of OSPRI’s IT upgrade did not come as a surprise to stakeholders.
Farmer’s Weekly reported last week that OSPRI has apologised to farmers and shareholders after major flaws were found in a technology upgrade project.
An independent review of its Information Systems Strategic Programme (ISSP) identified issues with the technology project, which was meant to integrate its animal disease management and traceability systems.
Southland dairy farmer and chair of OSPRI’s farmer committee Nigel Johnston said the issues had been evident for years.
Johnston said that in its annual reports for the past three years, the farmer committee had highlighted concerns about IT issues, the slow progress to fix them and a lack of accountability. Working groups had asked for an independent look into the matter, with the independent review highlighting failures the end result, he said.
NAIT uses old technology, is cumbersome and because of the age of the technology there isn’t a user-friendly phone app, he said.
The decision to upgrade the software platform was made five years ago, but the ensuing project had “significant cost overruns, mainly because we wanted to do it once and do it right”.
Despite setbacks, a well-made “skeleton” now exists. It provides OSPRI with a workable solution without requiring too much further farmer input, Johnston said.
Compliance is still possible and relatively easy for dairy farmers, especially those who use third-party software such as LIC’s Minda, he said.
Farmers running beef as part of their operations and who work directly with NAIT will experience some user-friendliness, he said.
OSPRI tried to make a future-proofed solution but ran out of money, he said.
Recent changes at OSPRI “refreshed the focus” on the project, he said.
Ospri chief executive Sam McIvor said OSPRI is currently undertaking the work to redefine the future NAIT replacement solution. The goal is to develop a system that is more user-friendly, more efficient, cost effective, and ultimately saves time for farmers, he said.
“The focus will be on ensuring the system effectively supports farmers needs while improving traceability and disease management capabilities.”
It is important to note that the issues highlighted by the review relate to future technology at OSPRI only, McIvor said.
“OSPRI is currently in a replanning phase, which will take up to six months. During this time, we are developing a realistic and achievable roadmap to complete the NAIT replacement. Once this phase is finished and the programme plan is approved, we will be in a position to confirm the timeframes for delivery of the new system,” McIvor said.
“We will only announce a new delivery date when we are confident it is both financially sustainable and achievable within the timeframe.”
The current NAIT system is functional, and the data farmers provide continues to improve and support the disease management programmes at OSPRI, he said.
Chair of DairyNZ Jim van der Poel said DairyNZ was disappointed with OSPRI’s performance in relation to this project and the findings of the review of the ISSP.
“We are working with shareholders Beef + Lamb NZ and Deer Industry NZ, as well as [the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI)], the OSPRI board and recently appointed CEO to take urgent steps to get this project back on track.
“It is important to note the ISSP IT issues relate to a technology upgrade and do not affect the functioning of NAIT, the TB Free Programme or M bovis eradication.
“Earlier this year shareholders, supported by MPI, requested an independent review of OSPRI’s IT system rebuild. We made a strong contribution to the terms of reference for that review to extract clear information about the ISSP, due to concerns about delays, lack of reporting and questions about the accuracy of the information shareholders were receiving regarding this project.”
OSPRI’s efforts to get the project back on track will occur alongside shareholders progressing recommendations for constitutional changes to strengthen OSPRI’s governance, transparency and technology capability, he said.
In Focus Podcast: Full Show | 13 September
