Portfolio Evaluations
Portfolio Evaluation Strategy
The Defence Portfolio Evaluation Strategy is promulgated as a Defence Instruction (General). In accordance with that strategy, in May 2006, the Defence Committee authorised a two-year rolling schedule of portfolio evaluations covering 2005–06 and 2006–07.
In calendar year 2006, the principal portfolio evaluation topics are:
- ADF Safety Systems;
- The Effectiveness of Defence Record Keeping; and
- Contract Management Outside the DMO.
Portfolio Evaluations agreed in principle by the Defence Audit Committee and the Defence Committee for calendar year 2007 are:
- The Effectiveness of National Health Support;
- The Overall Effect of the Introduction of the Defence Travel Card; and
- The Effectiveness of Defence's Approach to Occupational Health and Safety.
Following a review of priorities in 2006, the Defence Committee deferred the evaluation topic 'The Effectiveness of National Health Support', foreshadowed in the Defence Annual Report 2004–05, until 2007. In addition, the evaluation topic of 'The Policy, Practice, Relationship and Effectiveness of the Reserves', as foreshadowed in the Portfolio Budget Statements 2006–07 for the 2007 evaluation schedule, was replaced by 'The Overall Effect of the Introduction of the Defence Travel Card'.
Schedule of Portfolio Evaluations for 2005–06
The following evaluation activities were conducted in 2005–06:
The Defence Injury Prevention Program. The report on this evaluation, which aimed to determine the effectiveness of the Defence Injury Prevention Program, was endorsed by CDF and the Secretary in August 2006. The evaluation found that:
- the program was a very sound approach to injury prevention which could potentially deliver considerable benefits to Defence in the form of health and medical cost efficiencies and improved military capability;
- the program had been fully implemented at very few Australian Defence Force (ADF) bases so far and, at these locations, it had proven to be highly effective in achieving its intended objectives;
- wider implementation of the Defence Injury Prevention Program across the ADF had been prevented by significant shortcomings in the program's governance arrangements, resource levels and IT support systems; and
- the program would not deliver its full benefits to Defence unless it was widely implemented across the ADF.
Defence Civilian Development, Education and Training. The report on this evaluation, which aimed to determine the appropriateness and effectiveness of current civilian development, education and training within Defence, was forwarded to the Secretary and CDF in May 2006 and is still under consideration.
The Technical Regulatory System. The report of this evaluation, which aimed to determine the effectiveness of the ADF's Technical Regulatory System, was forwarded to the Secretary and CDF in August 2006 and is still under consideration.