Public Service ICT Strategy

ICT Governance ensures that ICT projects are aligned, directed and monitored to support the specific goals and objectives of a Public Body at a whole-of-government level. Governance structures, aligned with overarching strategies are required for delivery of the intended outcomes of the ICT Strategy. As part of the new Civil Service Management Board, an opportunity exists to increase collaboration and establish a Public Service wide ICT-focussed governance to agree and prioritise government objectives.

A Public Service ICT governance model will be developed to ensure that ICT priorities reflect overarching Reform and Renewal objectives. Key initiatives to develop an enhanced governance approach are set out below.

ICT Governance

It is recommended that a body is created under the Civil Service Management Board to provide governance of ICT and ensure the Strategy has the necessary mandate at the highest level. This will allow the elements of the ICT Strategy, such as continued digitisation of services to citizens, to be reflected in Public Bodies’ individual priorities, and provide the mandate for delivery of a more integrated ICT infrastructure. This requires an effective governance model at senior level.

While each Public Body will continue to have its own individual ICT priorities to support its business strategy, this mechanism will align ICT deliverables with Government priorities. This will include defining an agreed scope of the role of Office of the Government CIO (OGCIO) in the central governance of ICT across the Public Service.

CIO Council

The CIO Council provides an advisory role on ICT policy and strategy and is responsible for communication and legitimisation of these decisions across the wider Public Service.

The CIO Council will be restructured to ensure better communications and the sharing of ideas and dissemination of best practice across the ICT community within all Public Bodies. Improvements can be achieved through regular forums and the creation of discussion groups around shared or common processes or services. The CIO Council should also be given a clear mandate for communication and alignment of ICT policy and strategy within Departments, Sectors and the wider Public Service.

ICT Policy

ICT systems support critical services and day-to-day operations in Public Bodies. Consequently, these systems need to be managed appropriately to minimise potential risk factors that would impact on the delivery of Public Services. To deliver best-in-class ICT services on a whole-of-government basis, guidance and policies are required to inform Public Bodies on individual ICT issues.

The OGCIO, in collaboration with the CIO Council, will define and implement whole-of-government policies and best practices for key ICT areas to reduce risk and support standardisation and integration. It is also recommended that the OGCIO and CIO Council will work with the various internal audit functions to ensure that agreed policies and controls are in place and monitored regularly.