DIT, in collaboration with JICA and Dr. Rudi, has conducted the Software Development Guidelines Awareness/Consultation Workshop for the IT Professionals and Managers/Decision Makers from the various Government agencies on the 3rd and 4th of May, 2006 at the Royal Banquet Hall, Thimphu. This workshop was conducted with the objective of creating awareness among the IT Professionals and Policy/Decision Makers regarding the guidelines and collect feedbacks and suggestions from the participants. About 30 participants from the various Government Agencies attended this workshop.

The morning session of the first day highlighted and sensitized the roles that the various actors/stakeholders play in the Software Development Process stressing on the key role that people at the managerial/decision-making level play in the initiation and execution of a Software Development Project. Through the course of the 2-days workshop, participants were divided into four groups of “Project Planning”, “System Analysis”, “Cost/Benefit Analysis” and “Tender” and group presentations and discussions were held which were then discussed among all the participants. The participants were also involved in a role-playing game in the final session. The workshop was concluded by the Director, DIT.

The Software Development Guidelines was initiated by the DIT, in collaboration with JICA, with the following objectives:

• Establish a standard approach to System Development
• Help Clients as well as Developers clearly understand their respective roles in the development process
• Help Clients as well as Developers clearly understand and agree on the necessary steps/stages in the development process
• Facilitate the development of cost-effective and efficient Systems
• Help establish a consistent and effective Evaluation Method