BIRT Solution Implementation On Track


October 2011 - CHCs across Ontario are gearing up for implementation of the Business Intelligence and Reporting Tools (BIRT) Solution.

Teams from participating CHCs, the AOHC NORA project, and Connex Ontario Health Services Information are planning to implement the BIRT Solution over eight weeks starting in October. To date, 64 CHCs have agreed to adopt the BIRT Solution for non-operational data analysis and reporting needs.

A series of activities have been undertaken in the last several months in preparation for sector-wide implementation. BIRT Solution coordinators have been assigned at all participating CHCs.

These onsite project leads are actively involved in BIRT Solution implementation and key to its success at each centre. To support their efforts, the AOHC has provided the coordinators with access to the AOHC Members Portal, a collaborative online workspace for information management and exchange.

The AOHC has also produced a guide to IBM Cognos licensing to help CHCs decide on and procure licenses for use of the BIRT Solution. Cognos will replace the current business intelligence software for reporting and analytics.

Training on the new software for CHC staff who prepare reports is included in the implementation plan. The implementation approach includes five waves of implementation, with the first involving a pilot of the BIRT Solution at two CHCs, in preparation for sector-wide implementation. The planned go-live timeframe for the two centres is the end of October.

Once sector-wide implementation begins, each CHC will have the flexibility to select their go-live date using an implementation work plan tool that identifies key activities, required effort, and target completion dates. Implementation across the sector is expected to be complete in December.