An Cosantóir

An Cosantóir November / December 2024 www.military.ie/magazine www.military TRANSFORMATION & COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK 2024 has seen the first full year of work on the Commission on the Defence Forces (CODF) recommendations, which followed the publication of the Strategic Framework in September 2023 and the publication of the Detailed Implementation Plan (DIP) in November 2023. The updated DIP for 2025 is currently being prepared for publication at the end of this year. The DIP depicts the timelines/ ownership and phases for each of the one hundred and thirty CODF recommendations with a specific focus on the forthcoming year. In tandem with the publication of the updated DIP, a Transformation & Communication Network Roadshow, led by the Head of Transformation Mr. Brian Molloy will be conducted in December across the various formations to update personnel on the progress of the transformation of the Defence Forces to date and the plans for transformation going forward. 2024 marked a busy year for the Transformation Management Office (TMO) which was responsible for overseeing and reporting on the progress of the CODF recommendations as well as the strategic framework priorities owned by the DF. The TMO engages with the owners/leads of the various DF owned projects and is updated monthly or quarterly as to the status of the project by submitting an Initiation and Progress Report (IPR) which is then analysed and collated by the TMO. This process enables the TMO to identify any obstacles to progress or delays in the programme and work towards their removal or resolution. In the spirit of jointness, which the TMO firmly embraced, it is being staffed by Army, Naval Service and Air Corps personnel. In addition to the delivery of change across the transformation programme, it is also critically important that DF personnel are kept appraised of the progress and status of the projects along the way. To that end, the Chief of Staff directed that the Transformation & Communication Network be established and would be jointly chaired by the TMO and the Press Office. Nominees were sought across the various barracks and military installations who could act as points of contact to funnel queries and suggestions to the TMO and to also be the conduit for updates provided by the TMO. A training day was conducted in the DFTC for the members of the TCN in July, with briefs from the Head of Transformation Mr. Brian Molloy, Head of Strategic HR Mr. Declan Carville and guest speaker Scott McInnes from Inspiring Change. The TCN makes use of all available means to communicate progress to all Personnel. The Connect app is being utilised to share information to ensure it reaches all levels, in addition to the traditional email and VTC options. Whilst the transformation process is key, has anything really transformed if people don't know about it? Whilst the TCN remains in its infancy, it is envisaged that there will be more in person information days, as well as the monthly on-line calls in 2025 and it is hoped that the network will continue to fulfil an important role in sharing the progress of the transformation as well as receiving vital feedback. External consultants Deloitte were on-boarded in June 2024 to provide their expertise particularly within the realm of HR and cultural change. They have been working closely with the project owners and leads in order to progress these work packages and ensure that in so far as possible the milestones are met within the planned timelines. As with all large and complex projects there has been some slippage on a small number of recommendations but substantial progress has been made across all recommendations and those that miss their 2024 deadline will be delivered in 2025. Whilst 2024 has been a busy year for transformation, with 24 additional recommendations completed (see attached list) bringing the total to 35 out of 130 completed *, it is expected that 2025 will be even busier! In addition to the 100 appointments approved in 2023, 139 extra permanent appointments have been approved so far in 2024. In addition, seventeen temporary planning appointments have also been approved*. These new appointments, representing all ranks and services, offer exciting opportunities for DF personnel to broaden their experience and potentially explore different roles within joint structures. All of these projects and appointments mean that there are exciting times ahead for the Defence Forces, but change takes time – "the secret of change is to focus all of your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new" Socrates. *Figures as of 31st October 2024 BY COL COLM Ó'LUASA 28 |

• Cover