Investment Oversight Framework

What happens at this state

Through quarterly data collection and analysis, the Operations state provides intelligence on the size, health and maturity of government digital and ICT investments.                    

Why it is important

The information collected helps informs all states of the IOF, from planning and policy development, through the Budget process and subsequently the DTA’s assurance activities. Using data from across the entire digital estate, the DTA can use this evidence to provide advice to the Australian Government and it’s decision-making bodies and processes, including the Secretaries Digital and Data Committee (SDDC) and Digital Leadership Committee (DLC). 

It informs the Australian Government Architecture to validate current direction based on the effectiveness of its application and inform future guardrails for best technology implementation. 

The information we collect includes:

• adoption of emerging technology and trends
• reuse and shared capabilities
• personnel allocation, skills demand and workforce pressures
• lead and lag indicators of delivery confidence and project success
• profile balance between innovation, growth and maintenance investment.

What agencies need to do

Agencies need to provide the DTA with data about their digital and ICT investments throughout their lifecycle. 

This data is collected through the Approved Programs Collection process, also known as ‘Wave’. Forms are pre-populated by the DTA with known information to assist agencies. This data collection process includes requests about projects, as well as the BAU Digital and ICT operations of an agency. 

Business as usual collection (BAU)

Business as usual collection occurs twice a year, generally between late-July to mid-August and late-January to mid-February.

This collection captures insights on: 

• digital and ICT expenditure, including cybersecurity
• resourcing
• skill gaps 
• key risks 
• uptake of emerging technology.

Project data collection 

Project data collection applies to all Digital and ICT investments subject to the ICT Investment Approval Process. Depending on the size or complexity of the investment, data collection can take place quarterly.

It captures insights about: 

• strategic alignment
• reuse and collaboration
• project scope and performance
• resourcing and financials
• cyber security investment 
• benefit realisation and key risks
• use of emerging technology.

A publicly available annual view of digital project performance for Australians is made in the Major Digital Projects Report.

All forms must be submitted to data@dta.gov.au by the required date. 

This central mailbox can receive material up to a classification of PROTECTED. 

What the DTA will do

The information we collect is an important evidence base for strategic advice on digital and ICT.

The insights generated from the data is provided to Australian Government’s decision-making bodies, such as the SSDC and DLC.

The data supports and informs:

• the Australian Government Architecture's current direction based on the effectiveness of its application and future guardrails for best technology implementation
• all states of the IOF from planning and policy development, through to Budget processes and assurance activities
• ad hoc analysis for government agencies including digital and ICT investment decisions and policymaking.