Agencies are required to update and review their Information Management and Technology Strategic directions on an annual basis in accordance with the Strategic Management Cycle and whole of government information and communications technology strategic directions and priorities.

In reviewing information management and technology (IM&T) strategic directions, agencies need to assess and determine that their use and application of information and communications technology is consistent with wider Government and sector policies and priorities and the agency's overall business objectives. Plans also need to be aligned with the Government's information and communications technology (ICT) strategic directions and priorities as outlined in the Information Management and Technology Blueprint, connect.nsw, ICT Skills Action Plan and NSW Government Telecommunications Strategy. In particular agencies are required to actively pursue and implement ICT strategies, programs and initiatives that:

• are consistent with the Information Management and Technology Blueprint such as adopting a 'buy not build' approach to new business systems and using the Government Selected Application Systems (GSAS) for corporate business systems;
• are consistent with the NSW Government Telecommunications Strategy such as using core telecommunications contracts for voice, mobile, long distance, data, radio and other communications services (ref: DITM Telecommunications Services Agreements: 2000-01);
• support and contribute to the Skilling People for an Information Society: NSW Government ICT Skills Action Plan, March 2001;
• provide easily accessible and secure electronic services supported by efficient, customer-focussed and integrated government business processes.
• facilitate and deliver information and infrastructure sharing across government and within clusters of agencies (ref: Premier's Memorandum No: 2000-12);
• are consistent with the Electronic Information Security Program (ref: Premier's Memorandum No:2001-14)
• consolidate call centre services, facilities and infrastructure across government (ref: Premier's Department Circular No: 2001-41);
• are consistent with the NSW Government Electronic Procurement Implementation Strategy, July 2001 (ref: Premier's Memorandum No:2001-16);
• are consistent with the Shared Corporate Services Strategy (ref: Premier's Department Circular No: 2002-01);
• are consistent with the Regional Coordination Program Strategy (ref: Premier's Department, Regional Coordination Program, Program Guidelines, Feb 2000); and
• investigate the use other whole of government ICT initiatives such as the NSW Government Master Leasing and Asset Management Facility and the Australian Centre for Advanced Computing and Communications. The Master Leasing and Asset Management Facility (Ref: Treasury Circular TC 99/1) enables government agencies to lease computer equipment such as PCs and printers. The Australian Centre for Advanced Computing and Communications (ac3) provides services such as scenario modelling, data warehousing, hosting of agency services, disaster recovery, and most applications where there is a need for high performance computing power and/or high capacity storage.

In 2002, however, it is recognised that agencies may not be able to finalise their reviews by the usual 30 June deadline due to the number of other whole of government commitments they must meet such as the implementation of the Shared Corporate Services Strategy. In light of this, agencies are still expected to review their information management and technology strategic directions, but may retain plans in draft form in their agencies until Shared Corporate Services Implementation Plans have been endorsed by the Premier's Department (expected to completed around mid 2002).

Following this, finalised IM&T Strategic Plans or progress updates are to be forwarded to the Office of Information Technology with a covering letter from agency Chief Executive Officers highlighting any significant changes in strategic directions, progress in implementing existing programs and shared corporate services arrangements, and an explanation of any departures from the Government's ICT strategic directions and priorities (as outlined above). Plans are to be submitted to the Executive Director, Office of Information Technology, Department of Information Technology and Management, Level 3, 1 Prince Albert Road, Queens Square, Sydney 2000.

In reviewing agency IM&T Strategic Plans submitted in 2002, the Office of Information Technology will be focussing attention on those agencies that advise they have, or are planning to, depart from Government ICT strategic directions and priorities.

To assist agencies in reviewing IM&T Strategic Plans, I refer you to the Office of Information Technology's IM&T Strategic Planning Guideline and related guidelines (eg Information Security) available from: www.oit.nsw.gov.au. Agencies should ensure that the IM&T Strategic Plan reporting forms (included in the Guideline) are completed regardless of whether they are submitting a new plan or a progress update. Ms Giulia Vitetta on (02) 9236 7697 or [email protected] or Ms Sue Coppola on (02) 9236 7744 or [email protected] in the Office of Information Technology are also available to assist agencies.

A copy of this circular will be emailed directly to agency Chief Information Officers and/or Information Technology Managers for their attention.

C. Gellatly
Director-General

Superseded by C2003-15