OCIMS Workshop Advancing Phase 1 Delivery and Preparing for Phase 2

Since the National Infectious Disease Outbreak, Case, and Incident Management System (OCIMS) programme kicked off in Q1 2025, the need for a modern, connected, and resilient national surveillance system has only grown. As we move closer to operational go live for Phase 1, the programme continues to make steady progress—supported by committed teams across Public Health, HPSC and Technology and Transformation. On 11th March 2026, representatives from each of these groups came together for a full day onsite workshop dedicated to reviewing lessons learned to date, strengthening readiness for operational go live, and advancing preparations for Phase 2.

The workshop provided a valuable opportunity to reflect on what has gone well so far, where challenges remain, and how the programme can work collectively to ensure a smooth transition into operational use of OCIMS. It also allowed us the novelty of meeting some of our OCIMS colleagues in person for the first time.

Reviewing Lessons Learned from Phase 1 UAT

The morning sessions opened with an in-depth review of Phase 1 User Acceptance Testing (UAT). Participants shared candid reflections on the challenges experienced and the lessons learned. Our Phase 1 UAT lessons learned included early familiarity with the system, creation of effective test scripts, environment readiness, and alignment between the training and UAT.

Despite challenges, the group also highlighted strong teamwork, cross functional communication, and a highly engaged approach to problem solving. Daily calls, responsive collaboration, and a shared determination to progress the programme were consistently cited as key strengths.

Looking ahead, all teams agreed that UAT entry criteria will be strengthened, QA testing evidence from Conduent must be more robust, and increased use of change logs and release notes will be essential. Improved standardisation of test scripts, greater use of automation, and a regular, structured show and tell demonstrations were also identified as priorities.

Operational Go Live Planning

A significant portion of the workshop was focused on the upcoming Phase 1 operational go live. Participants explored dependencies across labs, Public Health, and HPSC—particularly the complexity of onboarding, user access management, SOP development, and the need for clear workflows and validation processes.

The group discussed key elements of operational readiness, including:

• Preparation and training for the participating laboratories.
• Lab data upload processes and backup plans.
• Data validation needs, including parallel working and smoke testing.
• Reporting requirements and alignment with CIDR (the system that OCIMS will replace).
• Service Desk and support models, including escalation routes and regional super users.
• Business continuity and disaster recovery considerations.

There was strong consensus that clarity around responsibilities, timelines, and governance structures will be essential as the go live date approaches.

Strengthening Support and Training

The workshop also highlighted the importance of a coherent, well-structured support model for both internal and external users. Discussions covered the design of Level 1–3 support paths, use of JIRA and NSD for ticket management, and the need for clear SOPs, process maps, and a standardised terminology guide.

Training was identified as a significant area to focus on. Participants emphasised the need for:

• Enhanced user manuals and workflow documentation.
• Practical, scenario-based training rather than simple system familiarisation.
• Dedicated super user training across labs, Public Health, HPSC, and support teams.
• Alignment between training, UAT, and live system environments.

Phase 2 Planning and Priorities

The afternoon sessions focused on Phase 2 planning, including data migration, geocoding, change requests, security requirements, and extended functionality for additional diseases.

Key themes included:

• Early mobilisation of testers.
• Clear testing timelines (10–12 weeks recommended).
• End-to-end testing across all diseases.
• Improved awareness on Conduent’s testing processes.
• Development of high-quality test scripts in advance.
• Agreement on data migration scope and sequencing.
• Critical importance of geocoding functionality and reporting.
• A structured approach to categorising and prioritising change requests.

Participants also discussed the potential benefits of a phased disease rollout for Phase 2, with consideration of seasonality, lab readiness, and training capacity.

Looking Ahead

The workshop on the 11th of March represented a constructive and collaborative milestone for the OCIMS programme. While some challenges were identified, the commitment and engagement across all teams continues to drive the programme forward. With strengthened testing processes, clear governance, reinforced training plans, and enhanced coordination with Conduent, the programme is well positioned to deliver a modern, resilient surveillance system that supports the health and wellbeing of people across Ireland.