Gaining understanding in Samoa to find the right solution 

Dunedin City Council’s System and Information Team Leader, Cynthia Wilson, travelled to Samoa last month through the PacificTA programme to provide feedback and advice around infrastructure asset management.

Working alongside the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure (MWTI) in Apia, Cynthia spent time with Samoan counterparts to explore their plans for a future enterprise-wide asset management system and gain a deeper understanding of the organisation’s needs.

“The purpose of the assignment was to understand the logic behind the proposed system and how it could support the organisation’s asset management needs,” says Cynthia.

While the technical aspects of the project were important, one of the most valuable outcomes was building relationships with the people involved.

“A real highlight was getting to know the team and understanding their context. Those conversations help create a stronger foundation for any future work.”

After gaining a solid understanding of the organisation’s needs Cynthia was able to meet with Senior Leaders and present her advice for potential solutions.

“One of the key things I took away was that they don’t necessarily need a highly complex solution,” says Cynthia. “What they need is something practical that works for them and supports the way they operate.

The visit highlighted to Cynthia how important it is to fully understand a problem before landing on a solution.

“A lack of understanding can lead to some potential disasters and even though the bells and whistles version is supplied it may not be the best option without proper understanding of the background.”

Cynthia says she felt the assignment achieved its purpose, providing valuable insights into the project and helping identify areas where future support could add value.

This sentiment was shared by the partners in Samoa, Tofilau Shamila T. Leavai – Assistant CEO, Sector Planning, Coordination and Evaluation at MWTI said:

“The assistance from Cynthia and PacificTA has been highly valuable in advancing asset management initiatives within the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure in Samoa. Their expertise, guidance, and knowledge shared have strengthened the Ministry’s capacity to understand and better prepare for the implementation of upcoming asset management works in Samoa.”

As conversations continue, the relationships established during the visit will help support future collaboration between PacificTA and MWTI as Samoa continues its asset management journey.