In accordance with the Strategic Management Cycle and whole of government information management and technology strategic directions, agencies should update and review their information management and technology strategic directions on an annual basis.

In revising information management and technology (IM&T) strategic directions, it is essential that agencies assess whether their use and application of information technology is consistent with the Information Management and Technology Blueprint, connect.nsw and other across government information and communications technology directions. The outcome of this review process should be a revised IM&T Strategic Plan or a progress update report on plans that are still current.

To assist agencies in this review and in preparing a new IM&T strategic plan or a progress update, I refer you to the Office of Information Technology's IM&T Strategic Planning Guideline available from our website at: www.oit.nsw.gov.au. The Guideline has been revised and includes 4 new reporting forms to be completed by all agencies submitting either a new strategic plan or progress update. Agencies requiring further assistance in revising their plans or in completing the reporting forms can contact Ms Catherine Hanly on (02) 9228 3605, Mr Robert MacLeod on (02) 9228 3612 or Ms Giulia Vitetta on (02) 9228 3609.

The 2000 review of IM&T strategic plans and progress updates by the Office of Information Technology will focus on the alignment of agency strategies against a number of government wide directions including:

• the Information Management Technology Blueprint;
• connect.nsw, particularly in meeting the Government's commitment to deliver all appropriate services electronically by 31 December 2001;
• migration to the Government Network Service and other core government telecommunication service contracts
• actively pursuing information and technology sharing between related agencies and sectors;
• Corporate Services Reform initiatives; and
• for general government agencies, the alignment of approved information technology capital projects (and future project proposals) with information management and technology strategic plans.

Information already being collected by agencies to develop electronic service delivery (ESD) assessments and migration plans can be used in preparing a new strategic plan or a progress update.

Agency information management and technology strategic plans and progress updates are required to be submitted to the Executive Director, Office of Information Technology, Level 19, Governor Macquarie Tower, 1 Farrer Place, Sydney 2000 by 30 June 2000.

A copy of this circular will be emailed directly to agency Chief Information Officers and/or Information Technology Managers to assist agencies in submitting plans by the due date.

C. Gellatly
Director-General

Last review C99-27, Next Review C2002-16