Information Standards are developed in consultation with stakeholders, generally from Queensland Government agencies. The framework described below highlights the key processes and lifecycle of Information Standards, which will ensure consistency in the development and management of Queensland Government Information Standards.
Lifecycle and key processes diagram (pdf - 19.7kb)
An Information Standard is initiated in response to a:
Approval may be given by the Queensland Government Chief Information Officer to proceed with the development of the Information Standard.
Where the cross-agency working group identifies there will be a major implementation impact on agencies when reviewing or developing a new Standard, an Impact Assessment template is to be developed in parallel with the working draft. This template is then issued with the Review for Comment (RFC) Information Standard draft document.
As outlined in the Financial Management Standard (FMS) 1997.
Schedule
Outlines general and any specific requirements relating to the implementation of the Information Standard.
Process
Outlines risk assessment requirements for implementation.
Implementation advice
During the initiation or review of an Information Standard, the working group compiles suggested points to consider when implementing the Standard and also suggests where supplementary information in the form of guidelines or Best Practice guides are required.
The information provided in this section of the Standard should be used at agencies’ discretion and is designed to provide suggested checkpoints to guide implementation of the Information Standard. The advice is updated on a regular basis to allow for the timely provision of ICT industry directions and resource material.
Implementation toolbox
During the development of an Information Standard the working group will compile a set of templates, reference documents, guidelines and reference sites that will assist agencies in implementing the Standard.
The information provided should be used at agencies’ discretion and is designed to provide suggested checkpoints to guide implementation of the Information Standard. The advice is updated on an ongoing basis to allow for the timely provision of ICT industry directions and resource materials.
Best Practice Guidelines, Supplements and Reference Sheets may be provided with an Information Standard to assist agencies in implementation. These documents are provided for general guidance only unless stipulated in the mandate of an Information Standard. Where there is no mandate for the document, agencies should consider it as reference material and interpret it in the context of their own ICT environment and risk profiles.
The QGCIO Information Standards website provides the progress of the development of each new Information Standard in accordance with the following:
Scoping and drafting |
The content of the Standard is being developed by the Queensland Government Chief Information Office and key agency stakeholders. |
Consultation |
Consultation with agencies on the contents of a new or significantly modified Standard is currently being conducted. |
Seeking endorsement |
The Standard has been finalised and is awaiting final endorsement. |
Published |
The Standard has been endorsed and published on the Information Standards website. |
Information Standards are developed in consultation with stakeholders from across Queensland Government agencies and statutory bodies. The consultation process commences with the limited publication of the draft developed by the cross-agency working group as an Information Standard RFC and concludes when the Director-General of the Department of Public Works provides approval of the final draft. A six-week consultation period for agencies is preferred, with an absolute minimum of four weeks. The process may be iterative, i.e. multiple reviews may be required before finalisation.
An electronic version of the Standard and a comments and contribution pro-forma is e-mailed to ISO's to coordinate within the agency response. This is also posted to GovNet (whole-of-Government Intranet).
The agency ISO should coordinate the agency’s formal response to:
and forward its feedback to the nominated QGCIO officer.
Agencies are encouraged to provide comments and contributions for implementation advice and implementation toolboxes throughout the life of the Standard to facilitate the sharing of information management processes across Government.
Agencies wishing to contribute to agency processes and documentation for inclusion should contact the QGCIO at qgcio@publicworks.qld.gov.au with these contributions. All information identifying the agency will be removed prior to publishing it on the QGCIO Internet site.
The QGCIO will amalgamate the agency responses to the draft RFC Standard, including comments on the wording of the principles and contributions to the implementation advice and toolboxes.
The QGCIO, where possible, will amalgamate and amend the draft to meet agency requirements.
The final draft of the Information Standard, is provided to the Director-General of the Department of Public Works for approval.
When approval is given, the draft Information Standard RFC becomes an approved Information Standard and is published on the QGCIO website with the current implementation advice and tools. ISOs are notified via e-mail of the publishing of the Standard.
Compliance with Information Standards is based on the audit requirements of the FMS. Detailed risk assessment documentation should be retained for audit purposes and should be used to assist agencies in ICT planning.
All Information Standards are usually reviewed on an annual basis to ensure that the mandatory principles are both consistent with industry best practice, and continue to meet the requirements of Government ICT initiatives. However, Information Standards may also be reviewed, if there is a significant change in Government policy or legislative requirements.
The QGCIO will publish a Review & Development Timetable at the commencement of each financial year to outline the dates and proposed scope of review for all Information Standards. When the review date of a Standard occurs, QGCIO will contact agencies with details of the proposed review scope and consultation process before commencing the review.
The process for the review of each individual Standard is as follows:
No changes required
If the QGCIO and major stakeholders across Government concur that there is no need to change the mandatory principles of the Standard in any way, a new date for review will be set (12 months). The Standard will then be re-published on the QGCIO website with the new review date.
Minor Word, Format and name changes to existing Information Standards
Where the QGCIO or key stakeholders of an information standard identify the need for formatting, minor wording changes for clarification or updating of organisational names or references QGCIO will enact the changes, provide details on the Information Standards website and notify agency ISO’s.
The QGCIO Information Standards website provides the progress of the review of each new Information Standard in accordance with the following:
Under Review |
An existing Standard is being reviewed for accuracy and alignment with Government ICT directions by the Queensland Government Chief Information Office and key agency stakeholders. |
Review on hold |
The review of the Information Standard has been placed on hold. |
Consultation |
Consultation with agencies on the contents of a new or significantly modified Standard is currently being conducted. |
Seeking endorsement |
The review has been completed and is awaiting final endorsement. |
Published |
The Standard has been endorsed and published on the Information Standards website. |
An Information Standard may be repealed when determined to be obsolete as the result of:
A principle underpinning the development of the GEA is one of not “reinventing the wheel”. International, national or local Standards will be adapted to the maximum extent feasible unless there are good reasons to the contrary. All external Standards must be interpreted within the environment of the Queensland Government and will need to conform to the format and development process of Information Standards.
It is not expected or recommended that an external Standard would simply be reproduced in full and used as a Government Information Standard. Rather, it would be normal practice to re-cast the external Standard, with permission, using the Queensland Government Information Standard format.
The Information Standards Internet Site has been designed to be user friendly and provide agencies with access to all endorsed Queensland Government Information Standards, best practice guides and toolboxes.
The website is updated on a monthly basis with the progress of Standards under Development and/or Review.
The Information Standards GovNet site provides agency ISO’s with details of the ISO group, copies of recent presentation content and a number of Government specific Implementation Tools.
Last updated 14 March 2008