NEW E-TOOLS TO LIFT PUBLIC SECTOR PERFORMANCE

26 May 2004
68/04

Australian Government agencies have three new tools to help them meet community and business demands for electronic services.

The three products have been developed by the Australian Government Information Management Office (AGIMO) and the Information Management Strategy Committee (IMSC).

AGIMO fosters the efficient and effective use of ICT by Australian Government departments and agencies and the IMSC is a high level committee of agency heads and departmental secretaries taking a multi-agency and whole-of-Government approach to the use of ICT.

The new tools developed by these two bodies will help agencies to assess the demand for particular e-government services and to define the financial and social benefits of moving to online services or extending them.

The Demand and Value Assessment Methodologies have been developed to help agencies assess the demand and value for e-government services. The methodologies will assist agencies to not only determine the possible financial returns, but the social value and benefits to citizens and business of moving to or upgrading online services.

The ICT Sourcing Guide has been designed to assist agencies develop sourcing strategies for future ICT investments. It describes a best-practice approach for assessing, negotiating and managing ICT sourcing arrangements.

AGIMO's Better Practice Check Lists are practical how to guides for agencies and their staff relating to use, monitoring and evaluation of web sites, content management of online information, online policy consultation and managing spatial data in an Internet environment.

These guides were developed in conjunction with a number of Australian government agencies and reflect best practice across the Australian Public Service.

AGIMO will continue to work to improve Government productivity and accessibility through greater application of ICT to government services.

The Demand and Value Assessment Methodologies and Better Practice Checklists are available through the AGIMO website at www.agimo.gov.au and the ICT Sourcing Guide will be made available to Australian Government agencies at www.sourceit.gov.au

Media Contact: Carina Tan-Van Baren (02) 6277 7480 or 0439 425 373