Secretaries’ Digital and Data Committee communique
Date: 12 December 2024
Strategic Discussion: Data and Digital Government Strategy (DDGS)
DDGS Update
Members noted the update on implementation of the DDGS including release of the 2024 Implementation Plan. Members discussed progress and opportunities to build data and digital capability in the Australian Public Service (APS) to achieve the Government’s vision under the Strategy.
Data and Digital Professions Annual Update
Members noted the update provided by the Heads of the Data and Digital Professions and commended them on the achievements to date. Members agreed that the APS Professions provide a valuable contribution to the uplift of APS capability and effectiveness.
Whole of APS Report from Data Maturity Assessment Tool
Members noted finalisation of the 2024 Data Maturity assessments and discussed how agencies should use the results to support implementation of the DDGS.
Draft Secretaries Digital and Data Committee (SDDC) Forward Work Program 2025
Members agreed the draft 2025 SDDC Forward Work Program, subject to minor amendments, and noted it will be updated throughout 2025 as required.
Integrated Digital Investment Plan Update
Members considered the Integrated Digital Investment Plan Pipeline Overview and Insights
Report (IDIP Insights Report) and discussed the challenges associated with the digital
workforce, systems reaching end of life and legacy systems. Members agreed the next IDIP Insights Report will be considered in the second quarter of 2025, consistent with the twice yearly timing agreed at the 27 November 2023 SDDC meeting. The Committee noted the
IDIP Insights Report supports Secretaries’ decision-making on the priority of investments,
capability uplift, and reuse across the APS.
Governance of Indigenous Data update
Members noted the 1 January 2025 start date for implementation of the Framework for Governance of Indigenous Data (GID), and that the National Indigenous Australians Agency (NIAA) anticipates providing updates to the Committee twice a year to support high-level oversight of GID Framework implementation. Members noted the NIAA’s support for implementation across the APS including an operational-level community of practice.
APS Data, digital and Cyber Workforce Plan: Exposure Draft
Members discussed the draft APS Data, Digital, and Cyber Workforce Plan. Consideration was given to potential sponsoring agencies to lead implementation of specific workforce planning initiatives. The Workforce Plan will be presented to the SDDC for formal endorsement in early 2025.
Future of Transactional Processing Arrangements
Members endorsed the Transactional Processing Review and noted an update on the implementation of the APS enterprise resource planning (ERP) approach.
Members agreed the Chief Operating Officers Committee will provide oversight for the ERP pipeline (supported by the Digital Transformation Agency) and the workforce recommendations resulting from the Transactional Processing Review in collaboration with the Heads of Professions.
Strengthening assurance of digital projects
Members noted the Department of Finance and the Digital Transformation Agency are working closely to strengthen assurance processes that support successful delivery of digital projects and programs across government.
The date for the next SDDC meeting is 13 March 2025.