Practical strategies for an effective government CIO construct

The CIO 2.0 model should incorporate the core elements

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Public sector CIOs are being challenged by one of the sector’s greatest operational reforms. Here are some practical strategies for an effective government CIO construct.

Develop and brand a consistent CIO functional model (CIO 2.0) that can and should be used by each department and agency with over 50 staff, but scalable to as low as five staff.
GSD should lead the development of CIO 2.0 based on input from the CIO Council and endorsed by the secretaries’ (or deputy secretaries’) leadership group.
Relevant secretaries or deputy secretaries and agency CEOs should commit to undertake a mini-program of work to adopt and standardise the CIO 2.0 model by June 2011.
CIOs should report to the secretary, deputy secretary or agency CEO.
The CIO grade should be VPS 7 to EO3 depending on the department/agency size and the complexity of business programs delivered.
Existing CIO functions should be resourced appropriately to align with the CIO 2.0 model as well as the business needs.
A common CIO model will assist CIOs to develop and shape organisational capability consistent with WoVG standards.
Information management and technology strategies should be developed on 12-month and 3-year terms to deliver effective information management, security and support services, and to complement machinery of government changes.

The CIO 2.0 model should incorporate the core elements: Strategy and planning; information management and assurance; information security; architecture and standards; and operations, and these should not be outsourced.

Bruce Carlos is a founding member of the CIO Executive Council of Australia and a former CIO of Raytheon Australia and CenITex, the Centre for IT Excellence.