In summary

Brief

Address significant issues in relation to storing and managing information, as well as preserving valuable information with easy-to-maintain processes and practices.

Solution

An information management plan that addressed dramatically expanding data holdings, and aligned information management governance, processes and practices with ICT plans and roadmaps.

Result

Put a focus on knowledge management and the knowledge domain, with reduced rework and wasted effort as well as less ambiguity.

In detail

The Australian Army required a plan for governance and management of its information.

Army had a compelling need for clarity. Significant issues had to be addressed in relation to storing and managing information, as well as preserving its historic and sovereign information with easy-to-maintain processes and practices.

Also, information management was recognised as an important tool for decision-making. The larger and more complex the data spread, the more critical it is to have a well-defined set of information management tools, schemas and processes.

Frame developed the Army Information Management Plan. This explained how to:

  • address dramatically expanding data holdings
  • store information from ubiquitous and disaggregated ICT systems
  • align information management governance, processes and practices with ICT plans and roadmaps
  • align information management with whole-of government and Department of Defence legislative and regulatory requirements.

The plan will assist Army to:

  • have all the relevant variables and inputs to be able to make decisions
  • put a focus on knowledge management and the knowledge domain
  • reduce or eliminate rework, wasted effort and ambiguity, providing a competitive edge
  • allow for the safe capture and storage of deployed data.
Frame engaged with staff in Army commands and HQs on the eastern seaboard, using workshops, interviews and follow-on discussions to identify and document:

  • the current state of Army information management
  • issues and problems arising from the current information management environment and supporting ICT solutions
  • compliance issues and FOI challenges
  • information accessibility
  • existing processes and procedures, their commonality and consistency across Army
  • unique challenges faced by units, as well as their requirements
  • provision of sustainable information management practices, in keeping with the Archives Act
  • a single filing plan for Army
  • a development path for maintaining metadata standards
  • training requirements, by rank and role
  • information management service requirement scenarios
  • an information management governance structure and responsibility matrix.

The plan was delivered with many recommendations. These provided an implementation roadmap that will significantly lift Army’s self-reported information management maturity level.

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