Overview:

The blueprint is a milestone document, bridging the gap between traditional government administration, the rather tired e-government agenda, and the contemporary government 2.0 expectations of technology-savvy citizens. The report did not set out to look specifically at IT, and had no technology-based objectives. However the message for IT managers is unmistakable. Most importantly, the document bypasses any artificial divide between “business” and “IT”. For too long, this divide has been a fundamental part of traditional IT thinking. The blueprint now argues that “on the back of dramatic advances in information technology over the past decade”, “the Australian people are pushing for change”. This document will come as a relief to many IT managers in government and industry. Finally, there is a formal public service strategy that recognizes the technology “elephant in the room” and the need for administrative reform.
 

SUMMARY
Impact
Ovum view
Key messages
A BLUEPRINT FOR CHANGE ON MANY FRONTS
Overview of the blueprint
Strategic context - governments need to stop expecting public servants to suspend gravity
Key initiatives
The revitalization of the APSC and the Public Service Act 1999
Effectiveness versus efficiency
IMPLICATIONS OF THE BLUEPRINT
Implication for agencies
Implications for vendors
Appendix: overview of the reforms
Meets the needs of citizens
1. Delivering better services for citizens
2. Creating more open government
Provides strong leadership and strategic direction
3. Enhancing policy capability
4. Reinvigorating strategic leadership
5. Introducing a new APSC to drive change and provide strategic planning
Contains a highly capable workforce
6. Clarifying and aligning employment conditions
7. Strengthening the workforce
Operates efficiently at a consistently high standard
8. Ensuring agency agility, capability and effectiveness
9. Improving agency efficiency

List of Figures
Figure 1: Organizational tensions