RELEVANT EXPERIENCE

Name: Garry John SMITH

Date of Birth:    August 1951 at Goulburn, NSW
Address:            8 Oldershaw Court Nicholls ACT 2913
Telephone:       
                              (02) 62554166/62554186 (Home Phone and Fax)
                              0417 657076 (Mobile 24 Hours)

Present Employment:

Senior Information Technology Consultant

EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:

1967 1969 Newcastle cooperative Store (Clerk)
1970 1990 Royal Australian Air Force (Senior Administrator/Systems Analyst)
1990 1991 Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (ITO2)
                     Computer Support and Communications Section.
1991 1992 Department of Prime Minster and Cabinet (SITOC)
                     Appoint Project Manager
1992 1993 Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (A/g SITOC)
                     Help Desk Manager\Application Development Manager
1993 1997 Australian Agency for International Development (SITOC)
                     Client Services Manager
1997 2001  Director  ITU, IDP Education Australia (Completed)
1997 on     Senior Information Technology Consultant (freelance contracting)

19MAY70
 Sydney    Enlisted in the RAAF as a Clerk Administrative.

20MAY70-04AUG70
Edinburgh Undertook No 1062 Recruit Training Course. Obtained Credit Pass - 5th out of 26.

04AUG70-08MAY71
Wagga    Undertook No 3 Clerk Admin Training Course.(Air Force Administration and typing to 30 words per Minute).

08MAY71-16JAN73
Williamtown Duties in 77SQN Orderly Room. Performed the duties Leave Clerk, Registry Clerk, Movements Clerk and other administrative duties as required. Carried out the duties as Maintenance Control Clerk and Inventory Manager.

16JAN73-OlDEC73  
Malaysia Carried out the duties of the Air Operations Clerk. Secondary Duties: Mobile Defence

01DEC73-09JAN75 
Malaysia  Performed the duties as Senior Warden of the Emergency Recall Coordination Centre.

09JAN75-14JUN77 
Pearce  Carried out the duties of Leave Clerk, Movements Clerk, Documents Clerk, Maintenance Control Clerk.

14JUN77-16JAN78 
Townsville  Performed the duties of Comms Centre Clerk

06JAN78-OlMAY79  
Townsville  Carried out the duties of Recruiting Clerk,  Personnel Clerk for Recruiting Staff.  Toured North QLD on recruiting drives (Covering the region from Mackay to Mt Isa).

0lMAY79-23FEB82   
Melbourne  NCO in charge of Leave supervised staff of 2. NCO in charge of Movements.  Supervised a staff of 4, NCO in charge of Funds Control for Support Command
Awarded a Certificate of Outstanding Service for exemplary  Performance

23FEB82-08MAR83  
Richmond  NCO in charge of Headquarters Richmond Orderly Room. Supervised a staff of three.

08MAR83-31MAR83 
Wagga    Underwent Sergeant Management Training.
Awarded Distinction and Dux of the Course.

31MAR83-29JAN85  
Richmond Returned to Duties of NCO IC Orderly Room

29JAN85-19MAY90  
Canberra  Posted to the Directorate of Personnel Computing Systems Air Force (DPCSAF)
Awarded Chief of Air Staff Commendation for exemplary Performance in Information Technology

Details of Further Employment

RESUME DETAILS

Duties Performed within The RAAF
(Highlighting last 8 Years in relation to Information Technology)

Duties at AFPEMS

Whilst undergoing extensive training to become an Analyst programmer for the RAAF Automated Manpower and Personnel System (RAAFAMPS) I was responsible to the Manager of the Air Force Personnel and Establishment Management System (AFPEMS) to perform the duties of Systems Administrator on the HP3000 system. Included in these duties was user support for 40 plus terminals and Personal Computers. This support consisted of the following:

Development of independent Data Bases for individual users/divisions,

Graphics development for directorates requiring OHP slides and graphic representations of data,

Guidance to users in the use of terminals,

Training and advice to users in retrieving data,

Training and guidance in the use of word processing software, Training/supervision and guidance of users requiring to manipulate spreadsheet data and databases, and

Training in miscellaneous software packages available on the HP3000/HP150 and Vectra Mainframe computers.

Duties at RAAFAMPS

The concept of RAAFAMPS as the RAAF element of MSRP, was to automate personnel, pay, education and medical administration throughout the RAAF. My duties were as follows:

 Developing training syllabus and instructing on the RAAF's Office Automation Courses for users of Hewlett Packard applications (HP3000 minicomputer and HP150 Personal Computer). This course syllabus was designed to give administrative staff exposure to computers and prepare users for installation of the RAAFAMPS Project,

 Liaison with management and project sponsors to validate conceptual and procedural changes to existing personnel administration system, and

 Evaluation of hardware and software requirements for the RAAFAMPS project.

United States of America Tour

 In August 1989 I was selected as the Analyst Programmer (Software Specialist) representative on the tri-service evaluation team formed to review and monitor certain US Department of Defence information systems projects. This team visited numerous US Department of Defence Establishments and gained a valuable insight into practices and lessons learned in the implementation of emerging technologies. This review culminated in a set of guidelines that Australian Defence Force Information Systems projects have used to avoid similar problems and to implement improved procedures.

Headquarters Australian Defence Force Staff Management Project

Executive staff of HQADF perceived major management obstacles in relation to coordination and control of the HQADF staff (approximately 1500 in Australia and 400 overseas). The headquarters staff maintained relevant personnel data in a largely manual system that caused considerable delays in response to management inquiries. The CIVILPRISM project managers had been approached to solve the obstacles and had responded that a project of this nature would take several staff years and a considerable amount of funds. The problem was of such an urgent nature the executive staff approached my director in September 1989 to see if an alternate robust and stable solution could be discovered. The RAAFAMPS Project Director instructed me to evaluate the task and investigate the possible solutions to this problem. After thorough investigation and analysis I advised my director that a solution could be achieved. Therefore, I was directed to commence development of a solution for the project (DEFPEMS). I achieved the full production model within 5 weeks! The project met with such great success that staff at CIVILPRISM and MIMPS have adopted the software and senior staff from RAAF, Army and Navy environments investigated adaptation of this project to their own establishment and staff management projects.

This project achieved for me the award of a Chief of Air Staff Commendation, which is the highest accolade available within the Royal Australian Air Force.

Second United States Tour: Working with INGRES PTY LTD

In April/May 1990 I was invited to the United States to work with Ingres, one of the major 4th Generation Language (4GL) Software Developers. This invitation was to allow me to become familiar with the current and future developments of the Ingres Data engines and undergo extensive specialist 4GL training. I received considerable tuition in all aspects of the SQL development platform during this period with Ingres.   This work experience has allowed me to comprehend the consequences of large-scale application development within extensive corporate entities.

I commenced work at the Computer Systems and Communications Section (CSCS) within PM&C on the 23 May 1990. My primary tasks were to assist with the migration from DataPoint Mainframe systems to a Personnel Computer Hardware platform. This work required extensive background work in understanding the DataPoint system and the then new 386/486 computers. My secondary task was to provide user support to more than 400 users within the department.

Client Service Manager

I returned to CSCS in January 1992, on cessation of a secondment to Office of the Status of Women. I continued work at CSCS as an Acting SITOC on my return. The duties I performed dealt with the management of the personnel responsible for the help desk, maintenance contracts, software integration and management of outsourced development of software for PM&C. In addition I was required to assist with the network management staff in the maintenance of the new Novell Network. Under my supervision and guidance the help desk area obtained recognition for their outstanding quality and commitment to the client base.

Projects undertaken within Prime Minister and Cabinet

Assets Register Help Desk Engine

Through my own initiatives I rewrote, and continued to refine, the CSCS Assets System to make it considerably more efficient and user friendly. Another project that required ongoing refinement was the development and implementation of the Help Desk Engine being used by this department.  This met the demand for increased user support requirements. This project involved several hundred hours of my unpaid time.

Project for the Office of the Status of Women

Additionally, I analysed, designed, developed and implemented a software solution for the Office of the Status of Women to deal with the granting of Public funds made by that department. (Due to extreme time factors this solution was developed over 6 nights requiring an average of 9 hours per night of my unpaid time.) The solution has been more than successful in reaching and maintaining the short-term goals required of the software.

Project for Office of the Chief Scientist

Shortly after arrival within the department a major project was commenced dealing within OCS, which required a computing solution to the management of Government Funding to assist researchers. This project was extremely complex and as it had no administrative foundation it was required of me to develop the administrative and computing solutions. This project met with great success within OCS and required more than 400 hours of my unpaid time.

SECONDMENT TO Office for the Status of Women

In November 1990 I was seconded to the Office of the Status of Women as a SITOC to develop software solutions to several of their office projects.

 Project 1:  APPOINT

 Appointments to Commonwealth Bodies Project

In November 1990 I was seconded to the Division of the Office for the Status for Women to develop a solution for monitoring the equal employment opportunity statistics of Commonwealth bodies/committees. As there was currently no known method of achieving meaningful statistics or an existing administrative system to monitor the current bodies/committees, I was required to not only develop an administrative system to gather the EEO data but also to design a software solution to maintain and report the appointments to Commonwealth bodies.

The Software solution, known as APPOINT, was mentioned in government by the Prime Minister on the 8 March 1991. Following on the 11 March 1991, the Secretary of PM&C launched the product with demonstrations to all portfolio secretaries and assistant secretaries. The APPOINT package was then installed throughout all portfolios.

Considerable interest in the APPOINT Project has been shown from all Australian State Governments and many International Governments. The product has been demonstrated to many Ministers, Senators and state regional coordinators and has received accolades from all who have viewed the product.

Project 2:  GRANTS

National Agenda for Women Grants Program

My second project with OSW was to redevelop the software solution dealing with the granting of money to assist organisations and individuals to carry out activities and research that would aid the implementation of the National Agenda for Women. (A policy framework set out by the Government of Australia to advance the status of women). This project known as GRANTS was completed on the 9 July 91 and became active on the 1st August 1991.

Applications Development Manager

I was invited to apply for, and then selected as, the Help Desk Manager within AusAID, however, due to staffing changes just prior to my arrival I was placed within Information Technology Section for Applications Development as the Database Manager to resolve several serious issues.

My duties in the Applications Development area were to manage the AusAID Activity Data Base and support applications.   In addition I was required to control the contractors associated with maintenance and development of these applications.

I was employed in this role for 6 months.  When I had completed the successful resolution of the issues within the development area I was then moved to the Client Service Manager position that I had originally been selected for.

Client Services Manager – Duties

In August 1993 I was appointed to the Client Service Manager position.    My primary goals were to organise and improve the quality of service provided by the Help Desk staff.   AusAID has approximately 400 officers in Central Office, 150 Officers in State Offices and 250 Officers/Locally Engaged Staff in overseas posts.   The objectives of the Client Services area was to provide Information Technology support for all staff associated with AusAID

The duties I have undertaken in Client Support has primarily been to ensure the successful management of the section and to develop a high level of liaison with the AusAID executives, clients, project managers, state offices, posts and external agents.  In general I believe that the section is now a superior support area and is renowned for the quality and response times achieved.

I have implemented some considerable changes to the procedures and methods of the section that ensured that our remote clients (State and Posts) receive as close to possible the high level of support that is achieved in Central Office.

Through training and effective management the Client Support staff are now available to provide extended support, one on one training and comprehensive training sessions in all of the corporate application software and hardware used by AusAID.

During my time as Client Services Manager we have implemented the Windows based environment and the Lotus Software Suite of office products.  These have required extensive pre and post planning to ensure the successful migration from the Wang environment.   In addition we have upgraded the computer platforms used by clients 3 times in the past two years.

On several occasions I was called upon to act as the Director ITS and have fulfilled these duties.   As part of my normal duties I am required to extensively liaise and maintain a strong working relationship with all branches within AusAID, private industry and other Government bodies.

I, and my staff, excelled in all aspects of Client Services for AusAID and we were frequently commended for our quality and commitment to client support.

Client Services Manager – Application Development

Applications developed to support Clients.    As part of the services provided I developed several applications to enhance the efficiencies of the Agency.  All these applications have been developed outside of the normal work hours as my primary duties fully occupied my day.

Women In Development. This application was required to assist management in monitoring the levels of women involved in development within the AusAID aid programs. 

Director General Correspondence Tracking System. This application was developed to assist the DG's Personal assistant to track official correspondence.

Assistant Director General Correspondence Tracking Systems.   Two of the ADG's within AusAID requested the extension of the DG's tracking system to encompass their correspondence tracking.

Delegations Register.   This application is an extensive program to maintain the details of the AusAID financial delegations and is designed to allow all AusAID officers to readily identify their financial responsibilities and delegations.

Training Register PDS.   A training commitment register was developed for Personal Development Section to allow tracking and monitoring of training commitments of AusAID staff.

Training Register ACT.   An expanded version of the training register was developed for the use of the ACT State office to assist in control and management of the Student Training Syllabus available throughout Australia.

Performance Evaluation Process (Senior Officers). This application was developed to assist Personnel Section in the management of the complex process of performance-based pay. 

Help Desk Task Tracking System.  This application was an essential development to enable the tracking and management of the tasks performed by the Help Desk staff.   The use of this application has enabled the development of an efficient Client Service Section.

Many hundreds of hours were used to design, develop and implement these programs but the need to assist the clients far outweighed the Personal commitments I expended.

Overseas Projects.

To effectively ensure a quality of support for global staff it was imperative that the Client Service responsibility be expand to the training and understanding of the complexities of staff throughout the world.   Therefore I implemented and participated in the expansion of Client Service responsibilities to overseas posts.  To realize these principles I have been required to assist in the installation of networks and had the full responsibility of comprehensively training all staff in the following Overseas Posts of AusAID.    Port Moresby, Beijing, Bangkok, Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Apia, Tarawa, Pretoria, Nairobi, Maputo, Manila and Jakarta.   These installation and training sessions require considerable planning and effort to ensure that each post is operational and that the staff had sufficient skills to ensure a competent level of expertise to perform their daily duties with minimal support from Central Office. 

Through my effective leadership in this area all Client Service staff became involved in the methodologies and principles of quality international support and even today the client services area of AusAID still follows this practice.

 I was the first RAAF serviceman to be selected and fully employed as an analyst programmer/application developer due to my outstanding Personal development and advancement in technology software and hardware skills.