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org

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The Implementation of Integrated Financial

Information Management Systems (IFMIS)

Query:

“"The implementation of the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMIS) has proved a real
challenge. Are there any cases of successful implementation? And what factors contributed to this
success? Did the success lead to reduced corruption and improved PFM?"

Purpose: Summary:

We are currently working with a partner government to Emerging Information and Communication Technology
develop an IFMIS Programme and are facing a number (ICT) can play an important role in fighting corruption in
of challenges which are delaying implementation. public finance systems by promoting greater
comprehensiveness and transparency of information
Content: across government institutions. As a result, the
introduction of Integrated Financial Management
Systems (IFMIS) has been promoted as a core
Part 1: Benefits and Challenges of component – and in many cases a driver- of public
IFMIS financial reforms in many developing countries1. Yet,
Part 2: Experience with IFMIS experience shows that in spite of the considerable
Implementation amount of resources allocated to such schemes, IFMIS
Part 3: Issues to Consider in projects tend to stall in developing countries, as they
Designing and Implementing face major challenges of institutional, political, technical
IFMIS
Part 4: Further Reading

Appendix: What can be learnt from 1

Although this approach has also been implemented in
Failed Implementation Processes? developed countries, this Expert Answer focuses more
specifically on the implementation challenges arising
in developing countries.

Authored by: Marie Chêne, U4 Helpdesk, Transparency International, [email protected]

Reviewed by: Robin Hodess Ph.D., Transparency International, [email protected]
Date: 8 April 2009

U4 Expert Answers provide targeted and timely anti-corruption expert advice to U4 partner agency staff
www.U4.no
The implementation of Integrated Financial Information
Management Systems (IFMIS)

and operational nature. Case studies of more What are the Benefits of IFMIS?
successful countries such as Kosovo, the Slovak
Republic, Tanzania and Ethiopia indicate that factors Expected Benefits
supporting successful implementation of IFMIS include
a clear commitment of the relevant authorities to There are a number of ways in which IFMIS can
financial reform objectives, ICT-readiness, a sound improve public finance management, but generally
project design, a phased approach to implementation, a IFMIS seek to enhance confidence and credibility of the
project management capability, as well as adequate budget through greater comprehensiveness and
resources and human resource capacity allocated to transparency of information.
the project.
They seek to improve budget planning and execution
Part 1: Benefits and Challenges of by providing timely and accurate data for budget
IFMIS management and decision making. IFMIS allow a more
standardised and realistic budget formulation across
What is an IFMIS? government, while promoting better control over budget
execution through the full integration of budget
The introduction of Integrated Financial Management execution data. They also allow for the decentralisation
Systems (IFMIS) has become a core component of of financial functions and processes under the overall
financial reforms to promote efficiency, security of data control of the Ministry of Finance, force financial
management and comprehensive financial reporting. discipline, decrease operating costs by reducing
administrative tasks and civil servants’ workload.
IFMIS provide an integrated computerised financial
package to enhance the effectiveness and In addition, IFMIS also seek to strengthen the efficiency
transparency of public resource management by of financial controls by making comprehensive, reliable
computerising the budget management and accounting and timely financial information available to the Auditor
system for a government. It consists of several core General, parliament, investigative and prosecutorial
sub-systems which plan, process and report on the use agencies, etc., as they improve accounting, recording
of public resources. The scope and functionality of and reporting practices through the provision of timely
IFMIS can vary across countries, but sub-systems and accurate financial data, a standardised integrated
normally include accounting, budgeting, cash financial management reporting system and an
management, debt management and related core upgraded computerised accounting system. When they
treasury systems. In addition to these core sub- work well, they make bank reconciliation automatic and
systems, some countries have chosen to expand their allow a closer monitoring of outstanding bills and cash
IFMIS with non core sub-systems such as tax in bank accounts.
administration, procurement management, asset
management, human resource and pay roll systems, Impact on Corruption
pension and social security systems and other possible
areas seen as supporting the core modules. There are no systematic assessments of the impact of
IFMIS impact on corruption. However, the literature
The scale of IFMIS may also vary and be limited to considers that IFMIS can have a deterrent function on
specific country-level institutions such as the Ministry of corruption by increasing the risks of detection. A well
Finance. However, IFMIS is generally meant to be used designed IFMIS can provide a number of features that
as a common system across government institutions, may help detect excessive payments, fraud and theft.
including in the more ambitious schemes for federal, These include, for example, automated identification of
state and local governments. The integration of IFMIS exceptions to normal operations, patterns of suspicious
across the board ensures that all users adhere to activities, automated cross-referencing of personal
common standards, rules and procedures, with the identification numbers for fraud, cross-reference of
view to reducing risks of mismanagement of public asset inventories with equipment purchase to detect
resources. theft, automated cash disbursement rules, identification
of ghost workers, etc.

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The implementation of Integrated Financial Information
Management Systems (IFMIS)

In Sierra Leone, for example, the introduction of IFMIS beyond mere technological risks of failure and deficient
and subsequent improvement of record management functionality. A 2005 IMF working paper on introducing
helped uncover anomalies in personnel records of 2000 Financial Management Information Systems more
civil servants, leading to 16% of the subset employees specifically highlights a number of challenges that
being immediately suspended from the payroll as a explain why IFMIS projects tend to stall in developing
result of the exercise. (Please see: countries. (Please see: http://papers.ssrn.com/
http://www.irmt.org/documents/building_integrity/case_ sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=888065).
studies/IRMT_Case_Study_Sierra%20Leone.pdf).
Institutional Challenges
In addition, high speed comparisons of data can help
identify promptly weaknesses and exceptions and alert The introduction of IFMIS involves more than the
managers to suspicious patterns of activities. “simple” automation of public finance tasks and
processes. IFMIS imply both efficiency reforms and
However, some authors are relatively cautious about reforms that change existing procedures. They should
the impact IFMIS can have on reducing corruption, as therefore be seen as an organisational reform which
many corrupt transactions and cases of abuse of office deeply affects work processes and institutional
never enter the system. A paper by Bill Dorotinsky arrangements governing the management of public
suggests that, although it can be a very powerful tool finance. Failure to undertake parallel reforms required
against corruption, one should be aware of its by IFMIS is one of the reasons that often impede
limitations. (Please see: http://siteresources. successful implementation. A USAID practical guide on
worldbank.org/INTEGOVERNMENT/Resources/702478 IFMIS implementation published in 2008 identifies a
-1129947625190/billTransprencyandIFMS.doc). series of issues that commonly accompany IFMIS
Although it may facilitate ex post detection and reforms (Please see: http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/
prosecution, it is unlikely that IFMIS will prevent high- PNADK595.pdf):
level corruption. Furthermore, while IFMIS can expedite
the production of reports and transmission of data, it • Legal framework – IFMIS must be
does not provide a guarantee that data is complete and underpinned by a coherent legal framework
reliable if incentives for data recording are not present governing the overall public finance system.
or the human systems and capacities surrounding the • Business processes – IFMIS generally imply
technology are not supportive. In addition, for IFMIS to fundamental changes in operating procedures
have a remedial impact on corruption, the justice and should be preceded by a detailed
system must have the capacity to follow up on cases of functional analysis of processes, procedures,
fraud and abuse, which is not always the case in user profiles and requirement that the system
developing countries. will support.

The paper further underscores that IFMIS may even be • Budget and account structure –
associated with new corruption opportunities through Implementing IFMIS requires that many
the monopolisation of information access and control. government structures start working with
Computerisation provides more access and control for common tools. For the information to be
those with required IT (Information Technology) skills. coherent, all administrative units at national,
The integrated nature of IFMIS means that all regional and local level need to adopt a
information from sub-systems are stored and managed common language in the form of unified
in a single database, with only a few specialists having budget classifications and charts of account.
control over accounting, budgeting, cash management This can be a very lengthy and cumbersome
and debt management data (often including payroll and process, which for example took more than
procurement system information). five years in Vietnam.
• Centralised treasury operations – IFMIS
What Are the Implementation reform is often accompanied by the
Challenges Involved? consolidation of all government financial
resources in a single treasury account or a set
Implementing and maintaining IFMIS is a complex task of linked accounts.
that involves the Ministry of Finance and all line
ministries. There are many risks involved that go far

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The implementation of Integrated Financial Information
Management Systems (IFMIS)

Political Challenges is discussed at more length in the appendix on lessons

learnt from IFMIS implementation).
IT reforms are perceived as complex, risky, resource
intensive and requiring major procedural changes, often IFMIS implementation also involves major hardware
involving high-level officials lacking incentives for requirements. In Malawi for example, IFMIS requires 50
reform. Decision makers must be sold the idea that servers, one central server and a local IFMIS sever in
benefits exceed risks, while the incentive structure that each line ministry. Power shortage and interruptions
may undermine political will for reform has to be mean that in some countries, generators and power
adequately assessed from the early stage of the supply units are needed as well. (Please see:
project. Similarly, at the agency level, it is of crucial http://www.sida.org/shared/jsp/download.jsp?f=SIDA44
importance for successful implementation that agencies 83en_CER+2005-1+web.pdf&a=3406)
recognise the need for a new system. Change
management is therefore a critical and often neglected Human Resources Requirement and
aspect of IFMIS reform for overcoming resistance to Capacity
change from those, who benefited from the “old” way of
doing business, all the way to end users, whose work IFMIS implementation involves considerable human
might be profoundly altered by the new system. It is resources requirements and capacity building needs
important to “sell” the reform through communication, throughout the entire government. The low level of
education and training, using various channels such as computer literacy in developing countries must first be
the media, workshops, seminars, conferences, etc. adequately addressed before such projects can be truly
viable.
Many IFMIS projects have also failed due to the lack of
clarity in ownership of the system and unclear authority The lack of staff with required IT-knowledge can not be
to implement. Due to the institutional segmentation of easily remedied by training and hiring. The current
public expenditure management, it is not always salary structure and terms of employment in the public
immediately clear who, from the Ministry of Finance or sector are usually not attractive enough to compete
Accountant General Department, should be in charge with private sector employment conditions and to
of an IFMIS project. Joint ownership may result in a incentivise candidates with required IT-skills. There is
loss of accountability and real ownership of the project. also a risk that trained staff leaves for better job
opportunities.
Technical Challenges
Part 2: Experience with IFMIS
Many IFMIS projects have also failed because the implementation
basic system functionality had not been clearly
specified from the onset of the intervention. IFMIS must In spite of their complexity and implementation
be carefully designed to meet agency’s needs and challenges, IFMIS have become a core component and
functional requirements, including the accounting and driver of public finance reform in many developing
financial management tasks the system should countries. As of 2005, the World Bank had funded
perform. In some cases, interfaces with existing IT IFMIS projects in 27 countries at a cost of USD 1,1
systems have to be created to fit the country’s specific billion. However, the implementation of IFMIS has
circumstances. As documents on the functional proven very demanding, especially for developing
requirements – which will often serve as a blueprint for countries and according to the Bank’s own account,
later phases of the system – are difficult to rectify at a has not always been successful.
later stage, it is of crucial importance to spend enough
time on the design phase of the project.
Yet, in spite of challenges involved and many failed
implementation attempts across the world, there are a
As IFMIS core systems need to be adapted to the local number of countries where IFMIS implementation is
context and environment, a key issue to consider is viewed as having been a relatively smooth and
whether to use Off-The-Shelf (OTS) systems and successful process:
customise them to fit the local conditions or whether to
invest in an own “custom-build” system, with major
costs and resource implications. (This particular issue

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The implementation of Integrated Financial Information
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The Slovak Republic administrative structure, based on an assessment

process identifying available human resources and
The Slovak Republic is often cited for the rapid success system requirements. Since many Kosovar had worked
of its IFMIS implementation. The project was backed by under the old Yugoslav system, it was decided to
a strong political will, while the parliament’s prioritise procedures and practices in line with the old
commitment to a new system played a driving force in system.
the time of government change. The political backing of
the initiative was rooted in the willingness of the country The roll-out programme for Kosovo included system
to make the required changes to comply with EU demonstration to present the functionality to future
accession conditions. users, training workshops for senior administrators,
managers and general staff and change management
A well designed implementation strategy based on a workshops. The system was gradually expanded as the
clear understanding of the needs of the users and tools different municipalities were brought in line. The project
that were to be used further contributed to the relatively faced major political challenges when addressing three
smooth reform process. A detailed needs assessment municipalities that are in majority Serb. A non-partisan
was conducted as a first step, establishing the core approach was adopted by configuring and
functions of the IFMIS and basic requirements for the disseminating all document and information in
new system. After careful evaluation of software Albanian, Serbian and English. The core system was
packages and their comparative advantage in meeting operational and running in all three languages in 2003
these requirements, three basic “off-the-shelf” (as and has been expanded ever since. (Please see:
opposed to “custom”) softwares were identified as http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADK595.pdf).
appropriate for the country. A firm was then identified
through a turbulent tendering process to integrate the Tanzania
system. The integration team established a steering
committee to oversee the entire process, while basic According to the above mentioned 2005 IMF working
system architecture was developed to link all the paper, the IFMIS in Tanzania appears to be the most
information the system needed into one structure. successfully implemented system in an anglophone
African country. Within the framework of an ambitious
The system was launched in 2004 and has been public finance management reform initiated in 1994,
gradually moving forward ever since, becoming what Tanzania decided to introduce IFMIS in 10 ministries,
some consider being one of the most effective IFMIS in departments and agencies in 1998. The IT-solution
the European Union. (Please see: selected was a medium-sized management and
http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADK595.pdf). accounting package, significantly less complex than the
ones used in other countries like Ghana. The roll-out
Kosovo plan was based on an incremental approach and
focussed initially on the Accountant General’s
Kosovo offers another example of successful Department and 10 pilot ministries. After a
implementation in a very different and specific post- consolidation phase, the system was rolled out to all 43
conflict context. As the country didn’t have central ministries and departments in the capital, then
government institutions, there was no budget process progressively to the entire central government and
or treasury system to manage the huge inflows of progressively introduced at the local level. The
foreign assistance flowing into the country for implementation was distinguished by:
reconstruction. IFMIS implementation was largely donor
driven, jointly undertaken by CIDA, SIDA and USAID, • An initial review of the public expenditure
and included a Canadian E-government software management processes affecting budget
system, which can run on notebooks as well as on a execution and the introduction of an improved
large scale network, as a result of which a pilot system expenditure control framework and chart of
could be run within 26 days. A further advantage of this accounts;
system was that each installation could run • Embedding the reform process in the Ministry
independently and still enable data to be collected into of Finance with an emphasis on capacity
a central unit. The IFMIS implementation team then set building;
out to install and configure the basic system
architecture that would work for the entire future

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The implementation of Integrated Financial Information
Management Systems (IFMIS)

• Revising and developing an enabling customised approach to automation instead of a more

legislation, accounting principles, systems and comprehensive and standardised “off-the-shelf”
necessary organisational arrangements; approach that would have exceeded the local capacity
to absorb it. This prudent and pragmatic approach to
• Selecting a midrange commercial software automation ensured that information systems were
package supported by a high quality local successfully and promptly delivered at relatively low
consultancy company; cost, then gradually upgraded to evolve into technically
• Availability of adequate donor resources; robust and sophisticated systems meeting international
standards.
• A solid political backing which trickled down to
the management level.
The Ethiopian case demonstrates:
Both the authorities and the international community
• The role of automation as a support but not a
perceive the IFMIS as a critical tool for achieving public
driver of public financial reform. Ethiopia
sector accountability. (Please see:
prioritised a process change approach driven
http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/PNADK595.pdf and
by procedural reform and supported by
http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=88
information technology instead of viewing IT-
8065).
requirements as a driver of procedural
reforms.
Ethiopia
• The fact that OTS solutions are not
A 2006 paper by the Kennedy School of Government necessarily always the most appropriate and
presents a case study of Ethiopia as an illustration of a cost effective solution to automation.
successful and to some extent unconventional • The value of an incremental strategy of
approach to automating public financial systems.. This frequent operational upgrade of information
case study is especially interesting as it challenges the systems;
traditional wisdom usually associated with such
schemes. • That the lack of high level political will does
not necessarily hamper successful
In Ethiopia, the automation process faced major implementation.
challenges of resource, capacity, infrastructure,
changes in government and dependency on foreign aid (Please see: http://www.hks.harvard.edu/m-
policies. Therefore, the reform strategy prioritised a rcbg/papers/peterson_oct_2006.pdf)
pragmatic sequential approach based on the logic to
ensure that the “basics” are in place before moving to Part 3: Issues to Consider in
more complex systems. A strategic choice was made to Designing and Implementing
drive the automation process from the procedural IFMIS
requirements which were defined by the users, through
an incremental and iterative approach, with government Political Commitment
staff extensively being involved. The reform process
first focused on bringing existing system up to date
Institutional factors determine the outcome of
through simplification, elimination of backlogs and
automating public financial management. Experience
sequential procedural change before introducing new
shows that the best designed project will fail without
systems. Constant consideration was given to limit the
firm commitment. It is therefore important to adequately
burden imposed on scarce staff throughout the whole
assess commitment to reform. In Malawi for example,
process. This strategy was justified by low level of
the lack of political will led to major implementation
skills, evolving fiscal decentralisation and the general
delays: 10 years after the start of the project, the
degradation of the financial system that had taken
system was still not running. Such examples
place over the previous years.
demonstrate that in many cases, the role of individual
incentives and political will were not taken sufficiently
The information systems were developed in a phased into account when introducing IFMIS. For example, the
approach based on user demand and resource initial World Bank appraisal assumed the political risk
availability. This approach necessitated an iterative

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The implementation of Integrated Financial Information
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for such projects to be low due to the technical nature The paper concludes that since the basic designs of
of the intervention. public financial systems are reasonably sound in Africa,
there is a strong base and potential from which to
However, some authors argue that there need not evolve using a process change approach.
necessarily be high-level commitment to reform for
successful implementation. The Ethiopian case study A Step by Step Approach
shows that what matters most in the process is the mid-
level management’s commitment to reform, as the Although the process should be made flexible to fit the
changes ultimately have to be implemented at this local context, an USAID practical guide on
level. The above mentioned paper concludes that implementing IFMIS details the various steps involved
projects that are to some extent “obscure” evade high in such schemes, drawing from the lessons learnt from
expectations, scrutiny and micro-management which experience (Please see: http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/
tend to impede technical proceedings. In Ethiopia, PNADK595.pdf). The guide covers issues relating to
senior management contribution to the reform was the preparatory phase including concept design with
limited to securing funding at critical phases of the organisational and institutional assessment and
project, accepting the advice of the chief technical feasibility study, followed by the design phase of the
assistance advisor and monitoring the project’s project that outlines the functional specification and
progress. information technology related issues, as well as
procurement and implementation. The guide identifies
Process Change vs Process key implementation steps, including:
Innovation
• The preparation of the initial need
In many cases, IFMIS reforms have been introduced as assessment;
a process innovation involving a radical and
• Requirement gathering and delivery of system
comprehensive restructuring of procedures to jumpstart
specifications;
and improve the financial management system. In such
an approach, IT is being used as the driver of change • The design and delivery of a uniform chart of
rather than in support of the financial management accounts across the public service;
reform process.
• The preparation and delivery of accepted rules
and procedures for the new system;
Some authors challenge this approach by arguing that
financial procedures set out in most countries’ statutory • The evaluation, selection and procurement of
and regulatory frameworks are generally likely to be software and hardware applications;
sound, and it is both possible and desirable to pursue a
• The system integration, testing and
strategy of process change focused on improving what
implementation;
exists rather than replacing it. Experience shows that
improvements are best made through gradual • The audit/evaluation of project progress and
strengthening of processes and skills. This strategy is results.
more likely to mitigate the risks associated with IFMIS
reforms, as it works with existing requirements, Appropriate Technological Choices
developed knowledge and user capacity which are
usually relatively limited in developing countries. Another key condition of success is the need to make
the right technical choices for the automation process.
Taking Ethiopia as an example, the above mentioned Ultimately, the effectiveness of IFMIS depends on the
Kennedy School of Government paper argues that IT robustness and flexibility of the technological solution.
should support and not drive financial management The technology chosen must be flexible to adapt to
reform, using a process change approach where IT is evolving conditions and allow the system to be
used in a supportive role to evolve rather than replace smoothly extended to other parts of government.
existing procedures. In other words, here a strategy of
improvement has been favoured over a strategy of To support the decision-making, IFMS design phases
replacement with a successful outcome, while more typically start with an in-depth analysis of the existing
radical attempts such as in Ghana or Uganda have budget and expenditure management processes. User
failed to deliver the expected changes.

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The implementation of Integrated Financial Information
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requirements must be thoroughly identified as the basis In any case, it is important to allocate enough time to
for soft and hardware development. An assessment of assess and identify the most suitable and cost -
capacity and needs of IT-personal is also an important effective IT-solution to meet the needs of the country.
element to consider at this phase of the project.
Adequate Project Management and
All studies recommend choosing simple IT-solutions. Oversight
Complex large-scale IT-platforms increase the risk of
failure and under-performance of that platform and by Project management goes beyond managing the
extension, the system as a whole. Experience indicates technical aspects of implementation. An adequate
that systems which started small and progressively project implementation team should be set up, ideally
expanded are less likely to fail because associated comprising a project manager, a public finance
risks can be better managed. economist, a qualified accountant, a change
management/training expert, IT-system experts and
As mentioned before, a key issue to consider is logistic experts. It is recommended to set up a steering
whether to purchase Off-The-Shelf (OTS) systems and committee to oversee the process at the highest level,
customise them or to develop own “custom-build” chaired by a high-level figure, such as the Minister of
systems. Most studies recommend OTS solutions as an Finance, that meets regularly and produces minutes on
international best practice. The process of developing issues and milestones.
tailor-made systems is demanding, complex and costly,
including writing specifications for all the programmes Sequencing the Implementation
required to support government functions and
Process
operations, testing and maintaining the platform.
Upgrading the old system also requires major
knowledge and resources, often resulting in systems There are high risks involved in implementing too many
that are too complex and fragmented. components of the reform at once and practitioners
believe that risks can be mitigated with a phased
approach that rolls out across government institutions
However, the Ethiopian experience challenges this
in a gradual and flexible process. Large IT-projects
assumption, by showing that in some cases it is more
require substantial investments in equipment, training
appropriate to use tailor-made IT solutions. OTS IFMIS
and infrastructure, and involve high risks of delays and
usually impose standardised procedures, often
failure, because of interdependency of the various
originated from developed countries and from
project components. It is recommended to favour a
commercial instead of public applications, implying
pragmatic step-by-step approach to reform, based on a
even higher customisation costs. By contrast, custom-
detailed assessment of existing conditions and needs.
build IT-solutions seek to fit the information system to
the local conditions rather than the opposite, where
rigid and standardised approaches force the public The process should therefore start by a comprehensive
sector to adapt to the system. assessment of the current institutional conditions (what
is needed and can be reasonably achieved?), including
an analysis of the current governance system, ICT-
Appropriate ICT-solutions must also be identified in
infrastructure, incentives structure, legal framework in
countries facing specific logistical challenges such as
place, and human resources available. The analysis
unreliable power supplies, telecommunications and
should also cover the training needs and potential
capacity. A case study conducted in post-conflict
implementation challenges.
countries such as Rwanda or Sierra Leone suggests
that simpler, web-based financial management systems
with easy interface may be considered. The study The system should only be rolled out once it has been
recommends piloting a web-based IFMIS supported by pre-tested with real data, to assess the way the chart of
a simpler software package installed in stand-alone accounts, the software and integration processes,
machines and building up an incremental network. recording of real transaction and producing report work
(Please see: http://www1.worldbank.org/publicsector/ in practice.
decentralization/March2005Seminar/3Carvalho/Carvalh
o%20Draft%20-%20Sequencing%20ICT%20in%20 The roll-out strategies should ensure that: 1) reform is
Post-Conflict%20Countries%20Undergoing% built around clear benchmarks and milestones; 2)
20Decentralization.pdf) reform is divided into self-contained modules and 3)

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The implementation of Integrated Financial Information
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IFMIS implementation is broken down into definite reform. A broader and permanent training programme
steps. should also be developed and implemented.

The phasing of implementation can occur at two Part 4: Further Reading

different levels:
USAID practical guide (2008)
• It is recommended that the intervention This paper discusses the subject of “best practices” for
identifies functional reform priorities based on designing and implementing Integrated Financial
an assessment of the weaknesses of the Management Information Systems (IFMIS) and how to
public financial system. All functions of the put them into place in specific environments: namely, in
system need not be acquired all at once. The developing and transitional countries as well as in
reform can start with core modules before conflict and post-conflict situations. It provides cases
introducing additional module such as human studies of several IFMIS implementation. processes.
resources, debts and audits management. (Please see: http://pdf.usaid.gov/pdf_docs/
Experience has shown that the most important PNADK595.pdf)
area to be addressed is often the system of
budget execution and expenditure Automating PFM in developing countries (2006)
management which tends to be complicated, This paper presents two frameworks and a case study
non-transparent and labour-intensive. from Ethiopia which illustrates an approach to
Tanzania for example has used a selective automating financial systems that has worked. The first
approach focusing on these priority areas. framework distinguishes between business process
• It is also recommended to start small at a innovation (reengineering) and process change.
realistic level and progressively expand the Process innovation is a comprehensive change of
programme through the various layers of procedures and organization driven by information
government. The first step consists of technology. Process change is an incremental strategy
identifying an experimental entry level system driven by procedural reform and supported by
limited to a pilot site, such as the Ministry of information technology. It is argued that process
Finance, and to gradually consolidate and change is far less risky than process innovation and is
expand it to other institutions and levels of a more appropriate approach because the financial
government. The system can then be systems in most developing countries are relatively
successfully rolled out in phases once it has sound and thus provide a basis for improvement.
been tested and proven in this initial controlled (Please see: http://www.hks.harvard.edu/m-
environment. Change management and rcbg/papers/peterson_oct_2006.pdf)
training of end users are important
components of the roll-out strategy. Introducing IFMIS in developing countries (2005)
This paper investigates the reason for almost universal
failure to implement and sustain IFMISs in developing
Capacity Building
countries. It starts with a review of the "received
wisdom" in implementing these projects, and then
Capacity building is a major factor affecting the success analyses problems in its application in the developing
of IFMIS implementation, especially in developing countries’ context to identify key factors to explain why
countries where IT-capacity is limited and the public IFMIS projects have been so problematic. Based on the
sector’s salary structure and terms of employment identified negative factors, suggestions for addressing
usually can not attract and retain well trained staff. them are offered in the hope of improving success
Capacity building and training need to be scoped during rates. (Please see: http://papers.ssrn.com/
the early stage of the need assessment process. The sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=888065)
process should allow for the identification of various
user groups, assess the level of knowledge, recruiting
needs, and define the scope of the training curricula,
targeting the various key audiences. Training should
begin from the beginning of the reform, starting by
those who will be most immediately affected by IFMIS

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The implementation of Integrated Financial Information
Management Systems (IFMIS)

Appendix (including technical specification) was completed in

time, and the governance structure of the project
What Can be learnt from Failed (including a steering committee and a management
Implementation Processes? team) was adequately set. The design and
procurement process were completed in 2000 and the
pilot run of the customised software started in 2001.
Ghana The system was implemented in five pilot ministries and
thereafter supposed to be rolled out to all ministries and
Ghana launched an ambitious multi-facetted Public departments.
Financial Management Reform Program (PUFMARP) in
1996, aiming at introducing comprehensive reforms to The project encountered numerous difficulties and the
the budget and expenditure management processes, implementation phase did not progress according to
including a computerised financial information system, plans. The implementation team was not well resourced
referred to as the Budget and Public Expenditure and was dismantled before implementation was
Management system (BPEMS). The pilot phase (1996- completed. Change management and communication
2001) has focussed on reforming budget preparation activities did not receive adequate attention. Other
processes, reviewing the regulatory framework for factors were overall limited stakeholder involvement
expenditure management and introducing an integrated and some neglect of the system by the main players,
budget and expenditure management system in the including the Ministry of Finance, the Auditor General
Ministry of Finance and six key ministries. and pilot ministries. A peer review conducted in 2004
identified 21 issues that needed to be resolved if the
In the early years of the reform programme, there was system was to function properly, however, which were
a gap between the fast rate of progress with the never resolved. Following a study tour to Tanzania in
Medium-Term Expenditure Framework and the slow March 2005, the government decided to adopt and
BPEMS development, causing significant accounting implement an IFMIS similar to the Tanzanian solution.
and reporting problems. The design, development and
pilot implementation of BPEMS has not progressed Beyond technical and implementation challenges, some
well, resulting in major implementation delays. The roll- observers argue that there was weak political
out of the system, originally planned for the end of commitment to the objectives of budgetary reform,
2001, was not achieved and the system was finally because in certain line ministries distorted individual
installed as a pilot at the Ministry of Finance and the incentives undermined the efforts to promote sound
Controller and Accountant General’s Department in financial management. (Please see:
2003. They were not satisfied with the BPEMS http://www.sida.org/shared/jsp/download.jsp?f=SIDA44
reporting system leading to major disputes between the 83en_CER+2005-1+web.pdf&a=3406)
government and the software team.
Uganda
In addition to the significant implementation delays, an
overarching concern has been the limited involvement
and ownership of the stakeholders in the design and Uganda chose to implement a comprehensive financial
development of the BPEMS. The project was mainly management reform programme to improve budget and
driven by consultants and donors in the formative expenditure processes both at the central and
phase of the project. The project implementation team decentralised levels. The design and development
was restructured several times, while major challenges phase of the IFMIS got considerably delayed and only
of local capacity and know-how further impeded the in 2003 was a company awarded the contract for the
smooth implementation of this ambition project. (Please provision of a turnkey solution including hardware,
see: http://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm? software, a Wide Area Network (WAN) and supporting
abstract_id=888065). training/change management. This constituted the
second attempt to set up a government-wide IFMIS
with World Bank financing.
Malawi
The project encountered key design problems and the
In 1995, the government of Malawi embarked on a pilot – run in six line ministries and four local
project to computerise government accounting and governments – brought out a number of issues in the
financial processes. The IFMIS conceptual framework system’s functionality as well as treasury procedures.

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The implementation of Integrated Financial Information
Management Systems (IFMIS)

The main design problem was associated with the chart

of accounts that the government has approved, and the
costs involved to rebuild the system were considerable.
The system was put into operation with the defects
unaltered. As a result, the Uganda IFMIS is performing
under its potential with piecemeal, ad-hoc solutions that
decrease the efficiency of the system.

Further problems encountered are common to the

implementation of most IFMIS projects, including:

• Inadequate planning;
• Poor communication between implementers,
donors and government;
• Shortage of management capacity and
resources;
• Changes in system design without full
agreement of all;
• Poorly implemented trainings.

These examples illustrate the numerous challenges

involved in implementing IFMIS. Lack of high level
commitment, ineffective project coordination, loose
project design and planning, institutional resistance to
change, inadequate technology and lack of human
resource capacity are some of the factors often cited for
the failure of such schemes.

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