Secretary’s Foreword
The APS Review presented at the end of last year made it clear that embracing data and digital technology presents a significant opportunity for the APS – to deliver better quality and more personalised services for Australians, and enabling staff to focus on higher-value work.The Review reminded us that while Australians are among the fastest adaptors of new technology, the APS has room to improve: 58 per cent of APS agencies said they were under-skilled in the digital aspects of delivering for the Australian people.
At this time, we are enduring one of the most challenging periods our Department, the APS, and Australia has seen. It is clear that expanding our skillset to harness the full power of technology – and doing it in a way that supports and promotes trust in government – is an imperative.
Introduction
Purpose
The ICT Strategy 2021-2023 sets out the Department’s vision for our ICT services from 2021 to 2023. It outlines the four strategic priorities that will be our focus, the approaches we will take, the outcomes they will deliver, and how we will measure success.
Strategic context
The Information Services Branch (ISB) provides corporate and enabling ICT services to the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (the Department), 3 other agencies and 8 taskforces. ISB’s core purpose is ensuring that our customers have the technology they need to effectively deliver on government priorities.
Strategic importance
The challenges that Australia has faced through 2019 and early 2020 have shown us the critical importance of being able to rapidly adapt to and anticipate needs, and secure and protect our national interests.
Vision
Our vision is to be a strategic ICT partner for the Department and Portfolio Agencies; providing valued and secure digital assets, and trusted services.
Strategic priorities
1
To adopt new ways of working that are customer centric and outcome focused
2
To build flexible, scalable and efficient foundations across our organisation, processes and tools
3
To provide secure, resilient, reliable and reusable digital assets that are valued and trusted
4
To develop confident and knowledgeable digital capabilities so we can work at our best in a complex operating environment
Measurement and Alignment
Measurement
Our strategy is outcomes-focused and includes measures that will allow us to review progress against each strategic priority. Progress will be reviewed each year and on an as-needed basis to measure success and consider new developments in Government and Departmental priorities, policy and technology innovations.
Alignment to corporate plan
Our Corporate Plan 2020 to 2024 defines the operating environment, people and capability, and risk management and oversight needed for the Department to achieve our purpose. To show how this ICT strategy is aligned to meet those needs, the following table maps corporate plan outcomes against the Strategic Priorities outlined in this ICT Strategy.