These Awards seek to identify and capture best practice team and project working for others to adapt and practice to raise effectiveness.

Improvement Project

It is concerned with the improvement of existing operations within a localised scope.

IT Enabled Project

It relates to the radical or fundamental change of existing processes to improve them.

Leading Edge Project

It seeks to create a Best Practice, making the entity the leader in this particular function and therefore putting its operation ahead of its competitors.

Transformational Project

It is concerned with a large shift in direction, of the entity and the need for appropriate changes to be adopted within all departments.

Best Project in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi

It is designed to recognize outstanding practice and achievement by a Work Team or Project Team that has made a significant measurable contribution. (no separate submission)

Submission Module for Category 2 – STAR

The Submission should be structured using the STAR methodology

Equal attention should be given to each of the elements of STAR and wherever possible items within each of the elements be addressed.

Potential issues within the STAR methodology might typically include:

Situation

· What was happening prior to the change or improvement implemented?

· How was the need for change or improvement identified?

· Who was involved or consulted in this identification?

· Why was this identified as a priority for change or improvement?

· What was it hoped to achieve by this change or improvement?

Task

· What alternative solutions were considered?

· Why were these alternatives rejected?

· Who was involved in the project/initiative, how were they selected and what was their contribution?

· What were the critical success factors for the change or improvement implemented?

· How were these determined?

· What tools, techniques and methodologies were employed in planning the project?

· What were the cost implications for the project?

Action

· What was the timeframe for completion and how was this determined?

· How was the change or piloted (if appropriate), monitored and implemented in full?

· How were anticipated obstacles or barriers addressed?

· What unexpected difficulties were encountered and how were they overcome?

· What was the communications plan for the project?

· How was momentum maintained in the face of conflicting priorities for time and other resources?

· What corrective actions had to be taken as the project rolled out?

Results

· What was achieved in quantifiable terms?

· Were targets met?

· Were there any unexpected benefits from this project?

· How was the learning from the project captured and disseminated?

· How will the completion of this project provide a platform for further change and improvement activity?

· What were the benefits to the project or team members of this experience?

The above elements of STAR are not exclusive but indicative of the content of the Submission. Each improvement or change project is unique and it is not the intention of this guideline to proscribe contents that the Submission writers deem to be relevant.

Category 2 Eligibility Guideline

· Applications for a Category Two Award must be made in the form of a written Submission to be advised by the award Office

· The deadline for the receipt of submissions will be advised by the award Office

· The activities on which the Submission is based must have been completed within 3 years from the submission deadline although the activities may have been initiated in an earlier calendar year.

· Submissions must cover activities undertaken by Project Teams or Work Groups and not activities undertaken by an individual.

· Submissions covering activities of consultants, external agencies or contractors will not be eligible for the Award. This does not invalidate any Submission concerning a project or initiative on which external support or cross-agency working was involved.

· Entities may only put forward one submission for each of the four Category 2 Awards - improvement Project, IT Enabled Project, Leading Edge Project and Transformational Project. There is no separate submission for the Award of Best Project in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.

· Previous winning projects of Abu Dhabi Award for Excellence in Government Performance are not eligible to re-apply

· All submissions must be accompanied by a letter for the Director General or Chairman of the applicant team/project team endorsing their submission for an Award

Submission Details

· One paper copy and one electronic copy of the Submission Document should be submitted to the Award Office in the format as per the set date. Each set of Submission document must clear state which sub-category of Category 2 the submission is in respect of.

· Submissions shall be of no more than 5000 words and no more than 25 pages presented on A4 paper size written in 14 simplified Arabic

· Supporting evidence to the Submission such as documentary attachments or electronic based data will not be accepted

The Feedback System

The Feedback Report is a critical document in the ADAEP providing a summary of the findings of the assessment giving entities balanced, value adding comments from the assessors to position their current level of excellence and achievement within the framework of the ADAEP. Most importantly it provides input to drive and encourage further endeavours towards excellence through reflection, review and action in addressing the identified strengths and areas for improvement. It assists the Jury in determining in an objective and reasoned fashion the Award winner.

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