This second edition of the Delivery Confidence Assessment (DCA) guidelines builds on the foundation laid in the original publication from October 2024, which was developed through a collaboration between the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) and the University of Sydney. The first edition aimed to provide practical guidance and invite feedback.
2nd edition: refreshing the guidance
Following a consultation period, this updated version reflects the input received and incorporates contemporary events and research.
A summary of changes include:
- Moving the “Considerations in Determining a DCA” from the back of the document to the front, and clarifying some of the guidance, particularly around whether different aspects of the DCA apply at different times in the project life cycle.
- Clarifying the purpose of DCA’s, including feedback on how our readers are using it.
- Consolidated material on change management into distinct assessment category.
- Ensured people risk and quality management aspects were addressed, for example through risk, stakeholder engagement and solution sections.
- Inclusion of an example of What to expect from a Delivery Confidence Assessment and a summary of DCA tolerances by focus area.
A note from the researchers
As the first edition of this guidance was the first in a research series commissioned by DTA, our ambitions were modest: to experiment with a short and focused research project with the output available for use and feedback.
It was our intent to learn from the reception and feedback on the first series to revise the original paper and to inform future research papers.
Our learnings are:
- The process of producing these papers is informative. Combining our experience of digital projects with the research experience and resources of our academic colleagues has been productive and insightful.
- The impact this first series has had exceeded our expectations. We are seeing evidence of its use across departments and in assurance reporting. This is improving the consistency of reporting, so that attention can be focused on the projects that most need support. We are hearing from independent assurance providers that it is providing a common language and basis for explaining their project assessments.
Thank you to all those who wrote in with feedback. This feedback has informed improvements and ensures the guidance remains current and relevant.
Please continue to share your feedback with us on how we make this guidance more useful to you by emailing portfolio.assurance@dta.gov.au.