SSNIT launches tool to track, measure performance

The Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT) launched a business analytics tool to track and measure performance at the Pension House in Accra on Tuesday, 11 February, 2020.

The tool, known as the Operational Business Analytics, will help the Trust measure performance and improve upon areas where they are not doing so well.

“It will also support us to track if we are on course for the goals and targets we set for ourselves, and it will assist us to ensure that our staff perform at the highest level of productivity,” the Director-General of SSNIT, Dr John Ofori-Tenkorang, stated at the launch.

Efficiency

He stated that businesses the world over were now consistently looking for solutions that would positively impact their operations so they could function more efficiently, save money, time and provide convenience for their clients.

“SSNIT is no different. We are determined to run our business in the most efficient manner so that the members of the scheme ultimately benefit from our enhanced processes. It is in this light that the Trust continues to invest in relevant and cost-effective technologies such as the Business Analytics tool,” Dr Ofori-Tenkorang explained.

Data

He explained that the Trust collected a lot of data: actuarial data, compliance data, financial data and that the data was a reservoir of information which, when mined and analysed, could unveil what areas SSNIT was doing well in and where they needed to pay more attention in the running of their business.

Dr Ofori-Tenkorang indicated that such data could be used to predict, inform and shape projections going into the future, adding that tools like the Operational Business Analytics could help the Trust achieve the objective.

He stated “using this results-based monitoring system will lead to greater diligence, high performance and hopefully an increase in the enthusiasm of staff in the Operations and Benefits Divisions which will lead to an increase in their output.”

Merit-based organisation

The SSNIT boss entreated staff to join management to build a merit-based organisation where diligence, hard work and results were rewarded.

He stressed that such a tool would be critical in measuring performance and outcomes, adding that the implementation and roll out of other upcoming initiatives such as the reviewed performance management system, automated attendance system and a feedback system that measured service delivery and customer satisfaction within the Trust would help support the agenda of building a merit-based institution.

Goal of initiative

The Deputy Director-General, Operations and Benefits, Mrs Laurette Korkor Otchere, mentioned that the goal of the initiative was to change staff culture toward work by discarding the traditional methods of monitoring and evaluation and replacing it with a results-based approach that focused on the outputs, outcomes, impact (the results of what you do) rather than the inputs and activities (the resources and procedures).

She said the introduction of analytics in the monitoring and measuring of operational activities and performance would assist managers and supervisors with the necessary know-how to evaluate the performance of their direct reports in real-time and position them to make informed decisions based on the individual staff output.

Impact of tool

She further disclosed that the introduction of the tool had positively impacted the performance in the various key result areas in the Operations and Benefits Divisions of the Trust.

“There was an exponential increase of 42.81 per cent in last year’s inspection performance as compared to the previous year’s performance.

“This performance also translated into the amount that was collected for 2019 which saw a 15 per cent increase as compared to that of 2018, 5.95 per cent growth in active contributors as at December 31, 2019 and improved member statements, which had an impact on benefits processing.