The Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) has continued its blog series exploring the Digital and ICT Investment Oversight Framework (IOF).
It said today’s entry would look at the Strategic Planning state, the vision it lays out and how agencies can align their investments to deliver on the Government’s goals.
DTA is mandated to provide leadership on whole-of-Government ICT and digital investment.
“We’re uniquely positioned within the Finance portfolio to provide advice on digital opportunities and support the management of these investments,” the Agency said.
“We do this through the Investment Oversight Framework.”
It said Strategic Planning was the first of the IOF’s six states and articulates the vision for Government Digital and ICT.
“This ensures that agencies approach their investments and progress the Government’s objectives in a cohesive way,” it said.
“Importantly, this state has no defined edges. Planning for a digital or ICT initiative can start months or even years before it’s brought forward for a decision, as long as it’s informed by the whole-of-government strategies defined in this state.”
It said one of the most important will soon be the Data and Digital Government Strategy. Data and digital, finally together
The DTA are working with the Department of Finance to release the Australian Government’s first ever Data and Digital Government Strategy.
DTA Branch Manager for Strategic Planning, Lauren Mills said ”the Strategic Planning state of the IOF is vital in bringing agencies together to achieve a common vision for how Government delivers its digital initiatives for people and businesses.”
“Strategy never stops
“While Strategic Planning is its own state, the Data and Digital Government Strategy underpins works at every state of the IOF.”
The Australian Government has committed to the APS Reform agenda, the Cyber Security Strategy 2023-30 and the review of the Privacy Act 1988.
The DTA helps agencies navigate this landscape when planning and preparing to bring forward their investment proposals.
According to Lauren Mills: “Tracking our achievements against a set of published criteria on an annual or bi-annual basis will provide us with more clarity on proposals that need to be prioritised to fill gaps where strategic outcomes are being under serviced.”
In summary:
Strategic Planning’ can begin as early as an agency wishes to. It ensures planned initiatives align with Government strategies from the start.
While not the only strategy or agenda, the Data and Digital Government Strategy will influence each state of the IOF.
The implementation plan will provide practical, frequently updated guidance and performance metrics to agencies.
With its whole-of-government perspective, the DTA can support agencies to understand and embed strategic thinking early and often.
