ASYCUDA++ IMPLEMENTATION GUIDE Ó UNCTAD - SITE (V1.15) B.9 National Customs In  the  initial  phase  of  an  implementation  project,  the  Customs  Advisor,  with  the  assistance  of members   of   the   National   Implementation   team,   will   carry   out   a   detailed   analysis   of   existing Customs organisation and procedures. This  will  determine  and  recommend  the  most  effective  way  of  setting  up  ASYCUDA++  to  meet national   requirements.   This   includes   looking   at   options   for   streamlining   present   methods   and adapting existing process flows to an electronic environment as well as considering the adoption of new procedures and legislation to improve Customs processing. This   process   of   analysis,   reporting,   recommendation   and   negotiation,   is   carried   out   with   the National Customs Administration and in full consultation with all appropriate interest groups. Project Implementation Strategies Project Implementation UNCTAD’s   project   responsibilities   will   vary   according   to   the   terms   of   the   particular   Project Agreement.  UNCTAD  may  be  contacted  to  provide  full  project  management  services,  as  well  as the  ASYCUDA  system  software  and  technical  expertise,  or  they  may  provide  the  software  and expertise to implement the system and associated reforms, while working as part of a project team formed, staffed and managed by the National Customs Administration or Government. In  either  case,  it  must  be  clearly  understood  that  an  ASYCUDA  implementation,  as  provided  by UNCTAD, cannot be treated as a ‘turn-key’ package. This means that UNCTAD personnel cannot just  come  into  a  country,  set  the  system  up  themselves  to  meet  National  requirements  and  then hand over a complete working system. Successful  implementation  requires  the  total  commitment  of  a  National  Customs  Administration and other Government Departments. Much of the physical work in the configuration and installation of   the   system   relies   on   human   resources   provided   by   the   local   administration.   In   almost   all instances   implementation   requires   changes   to   National   Customs   legislation   and   changes   to existing work practices that may be strongly resisted by some elements of the trading community. Skills Transfer Apart from the obvious component - the system software - UNCTAD provides technical expertise in automatic   data   processing,   in   modern   Customs   procedures   and   in   project   management.   The implementation of the system, and the ultimate measure of the success of a project is determined by  the  ability  of  the  Project  Team  and  UNCTAD  to  effectively  pass  on  these  skills  to  staff  of  the National Customs Administration. By such skills transfer, and by fostering national independence in systems maintenance and in future development, the project provides a basic infrastructure that is geared to reap the benefits of modern communications capabilities and Customs techniques. Skills transfer is in part through formal training but the major benefits for staff of a National Customs Administration   come   from   working   as   members   of   the   project,   either   on   the   technical   or   the implementation teams. Project management and control standards The early establishment of the project management methodology is essential for project and quality control purposes. Without specific methodology, relevant management and without documentation control   and   quality   standards   in   place,   it   just   not   possible   to   assess   the   degree   of   ongoing achievement during the project or if the project is progressing according to plan. Management    control    standards,    quality    controls    and    documentation    standards,    are    the responsibility of the Project Management. Divisions of responsibilities on project management are usually specified in the Project document.