Governance

The following groups ensure the effective governance and assurance of SDAs. The governance framework follows a hierarchy, with proposed SDAs moving sequentially for prioritization, assessment, and endorsement. TDAG advises candidate SDAs before IDLG's review and endorsement of common and core SDAs. Core SDAs then proceed to DTB for final endorsement, ensuring high-level support via DTB from senior government leaders. Agencies can seek exemptions from IDLG for common solutions, with exemptions for core solutions proceeding to IDLG and then DTB. DTB may refer matters to the Secretaries Board in cases of escalation or unresolved disputes. Note: the descriptions of the following groups are in the context of SDA reuse.

Digital Transformation Board (DTB)

Membership at the Deputy Secretary level overseeing ICT and Digital investment alignment to whole of government strategy:

• final endorsement for Core SDAs
• final endorsement for Core SDA reuse exemptions
• final endorsement for SDA priorities
• notes Common SDAs
• notes Common SDA reuse exemptions
• notes SDA compliance reports.

ICT and Digital Leadership Group (IDLG)

Membership at the CIO level providing senior expertise for decision making on ICT and digital works across NSW Government.

• initial endorsement for Core SDAs
• initial endorsement for Core SDA reuse exemptions
• initial endorsement for SDA priorities
• final endorsement for Common SDAs
• notes SDA compliance reports.

Technical Design Advisory Group (TDAG)

Membership at the Director level providing technology and architecture advice across NSW Government on planned and in-progress digital investments, with a focus on reuse.

• advises DSIA on SDA investment priorities.
• advises DSIA on project compliance to Core and Common reuse.
• Advises IDLG and DTB:
  • if an SDA should be invested in or retired
  • reuse exemption requests received from agencies
  • considerations for proposed Core and Common SDAs
• endorses SDA owner biannual reporting submissions
• endorses SDA owner annual attestations  
• endorses standards (for example, architecture, solution patterns) related to driving reuse of SDAs
• advises SDA owners on recommendations to improve the quality of an SDA.

Digital Strategy, Investment and Assurance (DSIA)

A Branch within the Department of Customer Service with ownership of whole of government Digital Strategy, Investment, Architecture, and Assurance. DSIA is the owner of this policy, and is responsible for communicating, updating, and supporting the public sector’s understanding of this policy. DSIA owns, monitors, and manages the process, templates, and outputs for:

• attestation
• reporting
• SDA prioritisation  
• endorsing SDAs as Core or Common, and agreeing the SDA owner
• reuse exemptions
• agency compliance via the NSW Government ICT Digital Assurance Framework (IDAF)
• agency compliance via the NSW whole of government pipeline
• standardised SDA operating, funding, and consumption models.

Supports prioritised SDAs owners to obtain funding. Ensures continued improvement of all governance and assurance processes, templates, and standards related to this policy. DSIA will share proposed SDAs with the Secretaries Board, allowing for additional consultation upon DTB request. Moreover, when SDAs involve data sharing, such as geospatial data, DSIA will also share them with the NSW Data Leadership Group (NDLG) and the relevant Chief Data Officer (CDOs) for further consultation if requested. Appropriate time will be allocated for consultation within and across agencies to inform Secretaries Board, IDLG and other governing bodies in the endorsement of SDAs.