Events
Defence White Paper
CIOG is contributing to the development of the new Defence White Paper while also developing strategies designed to determine and enhance Defence ICT needs into the future.
The Minister for Defence, the Hon Joel Fitzgibbon MP, has commissioned a new Defence White Paper to be delivered to Government towards the end of 2008. Mr Fitzgibbon has also commissioned a series of accompanying reviews (Companion reviews) to be conducted across a range of Defence areas to underpin the new White Paper.
ICT Companion Review
The Defence White Paper ICT Companion Review is one of the reviews and is being coordinated by CIOG’s Information Strategy and Futures Branch. The aim of the Review is to summarise Defence ICT issues out to 2030 and provide costed options and solutions. The Review will be a short strategic level document and is being developed using working groups with representation across Defence.
Broadly, the reporting objectives are:
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By the end of July Working Groups must submit a dot-point list of key issues/themes that should be reflected in the Defence White Paper. CIOG will provide a consolidated list of these issues to the White Paper drafting team.
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By the end of August Working Groups must submit a final report.
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By end September CIOG will have developed the draft White Paper ICT Companion Review.
Defence-wide ICT Strategy
In response to the Defence Management Review Recommendation 39, the Secretary and CDF agreed to create a Defence-wide ICT Strategy. Information Strategy and Futures Branch are leading the development strategy supported by external consultants.
Working side-by-side with the consultants are a number of staff from within CIOG. Their role is to ensure the correct information is gathered, analysed and that appropriate strategies are developed based on their areas of expertise.
The project team is meeting with Group Heads to discuss Defence;s strategic imperatives and high-level requirements for ICT across four key areas:
- Business and ICT alignment,
- ICT projects, sourcing and operations,
- ICT Management, governance and organisation, and
- Enterprise Architecture
CIOG ICT Sourcing Strategy
The DMR Recommendation 45 specifically mentions:
“Defence clarify its approach to purchasing policies and acquisition strategies for DefenceICT products and services in line with the roles and accountabilities of the groups involved.”
To implement DMR Recommendation 45 it is essential that CIOG develop and implement and effective ‘Sourcing Strategy’. This need is further exemplified by the Defence information environment new directions and the charter for the CIO. Additional challenges for this strategic outlook are the early signs emerging from the current government policies and directions in relation to the acquisition and delivery of Information Communication Technology (ICT) capabilities and services. Much strategic work is also proceeding in respect of CIOG input to the government Defence White Paper. Against this background the CIOG has invited industry to participate in the development of a suitable sourcing strategy. More recent activity has resulted in the selection of an established service provider drawing together the various streams that the sourcing strategy will need to address. These include Industry Trends, ICT Bundling Options, ICT Contract Models, ICT Procurement Models, Approaches to the Market, and a Business Case Development for a preferred Sourcing Strategy Option. The ‘road map’ for this strategy is expected to be developed by July this year, with progressive implementation proceeding thereafter. CPSS and the CIO’s office are heading CIOG’s ICT Sourcing Strategy. This strategy will enable CIOG to engage with industry in a strategic manner. It is expected that the strategic guidance will be complete and ready for implementation in June 2008.