Week Notes 2024 E01
w/c 01/01/2024 | Happy New Year!
I’ve had a little time off work spending time with people who count, eating and resting with the occasional present opening of socks and other things you get when you hit a certain age bracket.
I did some reflections for 23 and a little more thinking while I’ve been away from work. This resulted in goal setting for 2024.
This week was a three-day effort with a day in the office in Chesterfield.
What did I get done?
Data and Systems Transformation Programme
Working through some of the governance sign-off documents for a new system award. Supporting key stakeholders to pull together, challenge and get closer towards approval and governance sign-off. It's tricky sometimes at this time of year as some people are off so a mix of doing and planning for next week when more people are back at work.
I also did some thinking about some of the upcoming workshops we are planning for the end of this month. This will focus on data elements of our new systems, and what new capabilities will come from better data governance, quality and tools. The most important question is what difference this will make for people with Arthritis, the so what question? Draft slides in progress and more socialising in progress ensuring I get views from different levels in the organisation.
Networking
I have a goal to network a bit more with digital leaders in the charity sector so I spent a little time each night making a list of organisations I want to talk with and what things I’d like to talk about. This is pretty much a no agenda catchup to start with and let’s see where this takes me. I updated my British Computer Society profile and put out a few posts on the forum and FedIP section. Joined a few charity sector LinkedIn groups and looking forward to a bit more focus on this next week.
Reading
Read the December BCS IT Now magazine which had a focus on AI. I’ll reflect on this in upcoming work items but the long and short of it is that AI won’t fix anything much on its own. It takes good processes and effort up front to get the best out of it. Don’t fall into the trap that AI is just turn on and it works, it just doesn’t, don’t fall for the hype, if it was that easy it would be everywhere. Oh, wait it is everywhere, ChatGPT has been popular but a relatively new entrant is Microsoft Co-Pilot. Advising people how to use these tools, the benefits and pitfalls is territory all digital leaders should play a pivotal role in.
Also started ‘The First 90 Days’ I read this a long time ago but doing a refresher as I’m in that period in my new role. I’d recommend this to anyone new to leadership or recently changed roles, it’s a good reminder of how to get going in a new role and some tips on what to look out for. The good news is a lot of the stuff I’m already on with.
Development
I started a list of things to cover in the upcoming CHCIO Cohort module I’m delivering on stakeholder management. I love to give back to was happy I could deliver training and offer support to the new cohort of health leaders who are undertaking the CHCIO accreditation process. More to follow on this later in due course.
What challenges did I face?
Nothing unusual this week, just that some of the people who I need to work with are off so some of my planned work is in the 80/90% complete box rather than 100%.
Some plans are complicated and involve decisions and outcomes for projects that are not yet in flight or delivered the capabilities for. Some clarification questions on principles are being worked up which will give a good basis for further decision-making and potential for system convergence or new project work up.
What are my plans for next week?
Back to Normal System Shock
It’s back to normal work and school week next week. No more lazy mornings, the Sewell’s will be back to the usual routine of school and work commitments. Wish me luck! I’ll be tired on Friday afternoon. I’m also throwing in some exercise and healthy eating to trim down on some gluttony points earned over the Christmas break.
Blog Post — Move from NHS to Third Sector
I want to do a blog post on the move out of the NHS to the charity / third sector, my experience so far and things I’ve enjoyed as part of this.
Planning
It's the deadline for updated delivery plans so I’ll be working with on this to ensure that the Data and Systems Transformation programme delivers to the existing roadmap and there is room and commitment for other planned work.
More governance sign-offs
Continuing from the work this week. Ensuring reports are complete, socialised and sent on a safe passage for sign-offs at the appropriate level.
Data
Clarification session on plans and moving parts of the transformation programme. Clarify what we can deliver, by when difficulty rating and what we won’t deliver. Queue for blockchain, AI and machine learning. Not right now, that could come in future. Having strong data foundations and good quality, well-governed data adds confidence for decision making and that is a major step forward at the moment. This will bring great benefits which we can build further capabilities and new insights into what our data means and what impact it has.
Help a Fellow CIO
I’ve got a quick catchup with a fellow CIO planned in to offer some advice on how I prepped for the CHCIO exam and what the experience was like for me. This is important as I had to defer this first time due to a lack of spare time caused by COVID-19 and a major transformation programme commitment in my last role.
Networking
Reaching out to the right people to start introduction meetings with other charities and the British Computer Society special interest groups.
Further CHCIO content
I’m not sure I’ll finalise this but keep drip-feeding content in the evenings to make sure the module I’m leading in February is engaging, has good content and allows good interaction for candidates.
CITP Application
I’ve had this on the backlog for a while, I’m going to finish and submit it. Fingers crossed this goes through and I’ll have another professional certification for the magpies' nest of CPD treasure.
