New CIO powers

The Herald reports:

Government Chief Information Officer Colin McDonald is to get more powers and a bigger budget as the Government seeks to keep a lid on IT debacles like Novopay and a string of privacy breaches.

Mr MacDonald who is also Department of Internal Affairs chief executive, will now be equally responsible with the relevant minister for the sign off and roll out of big government IT projects like the $1.5 billion upgrade of the Inland Revenue’s computer system which will be the biggest ever public sector IT project.

Prime Minister John Key said if ICT projects failed in the same way Novopay had, the buck would now largely stop with the Government Chief Information Officer (GCIO) and his department as well as the relevant minister.

“As we can see with things like Novopay, if you get it wrong it can be a very painful experience.” …

He said Mr MacDonald’s team will receive an additional $1.5 million a year for additional staff and resources.

That was on top of previously announced extra funding of $3 million in 2012/2013 and $4 million a year thereafter.

Mr Tremain said Mr MacDonald would give independent advice to ministers regarding major projects and would have sector-wide oversight of ICT plans, projects and risks.

He would also report to ministers on any security risks, and implement privacy and security standards and controls across the public sector.

The announcement was part of the wider Government ICT strategy and action plan, released yesterday which aims to save up to $100 million year by 2017.

The plan includes offering all new services online by 2017.

Giving the CIO more powers seems sensible. Few agencies have the experience and capability to manage a major IT project by themselves.

I like the commitment for all new Govt services to be offered online.