Report 3: 2018-19

Implementation of the GovNext-ICT Program

Auditor General’s overview

Agencies depend on their information and communication technology (ICT) to deliver a vast array of services to the public including essential services like health care, policing and education. Many agencies deliver their services through legacy ICT models that fail to take advantage of significant improvements in both cost and function.

GovNext-ICT has been promoted to agencies as a coordinated opportunity to modernise ICT functionality and delivery, at less cost. WA is not alone in progressing this shift from a traditional ‘own and maintain’ to a ‘pay-as-you-use’ model. However, the program represents a significant whole-of-Government change process, the success of which depends to a large extent on how effectively agencies are engaged.

Ultimately, modernising agency ICT must be about providing agencies with approaches that are flexible, secure and cost effective. All agencies need to consider the approach that best fits their purpose and service delivery, having regard to ongoing system security and capability. This requires ICT that is nuanced enough for agencies to employ configurations that deliver the best result for their unique circumstances.

My report does not offer a view in support of any one model for supplying ICT. Rather, it looks at how the Government’s current preferred model, GovNext-ICT, was planned and implemented and whether it is achieving its stated objectives. My report highlights some weaknesses as well as barriers that agencies perceive to adoption of the program.

My recommendations are intended to help the Department of the Premier and Cabinet (DPC) rethink its role and what more it can do to help agencies through this substantial change process. In doing so, it may be prudent for DPC to look more broadly than its current focus to also consider non-financial risks and benefits to the State.

 
Page last updated: August 30, 2018

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