This page is part of a prototype IDMF website currently out for consultation.
The full text of the draft IDMF is available for comment as a PDF here. This prototype website is a summary version of the IDMF for consultation which may not contain the full content of every section. For the most comprehensive up to date content, please see the PDF version.
Implementation of infrastructure data management will take different forms across agencies, depending on their current maturity in disciplines such as digital engineering, procurement, information management and data analytics, and on the complexity of the infrastructure and asset portfolio of the agency.
The current state and organisational requirements will guide the level of investment required to support infrastructure data management.
Skills and Capabilities
Skills and capabilities are critically important for building infrastructure data maturity. Agencies need to ensure their workforce has the skills and capability to manage data effectively and extract the most value from the data.
Data skills and knowledge are essential to support evidence-based, informed decision-making across the asset lifecycle, whether in policy development, program management or service delivery. These skills also assist in improving operational efficiency, more efficient resource allocation, and improved engagement with stakeholders.
What good looks like
- Data-literate: staff have a foundational level of data literacy. This includes the ability to identify, locate, interpret, and evaluate information, and communicate key insights to drive action. Inadequate data literacy can not only impact the ability of agencies to extract value from the data they collect, it can also leave agencies vulnerable to privacy and security breaches.
- Specialised: there are staff available with specialised skills that can be leveraged when required. Skills and knowledge in publishing, linking and sharing public sector data are also critical in ensuring data is managed appropriately, in line with legal requirements and community expectations.
- Development-focused: agency leadership support professional development of infrastructure data skills and awareness across all levels of the organisation.
- Cross-disciplinary: teams have the right combination of technical data skills, as well as non-technical policy, project and business acumen.
- Training: all staff have access to resources and are aware of, and trained in, policies and procedures relevant to their roles and responsibilities.
How to achieve good practice
- Harness existing skills capabilities within the organisation and establish multidisciplinary, cross agency teams to achieve skill-sharing and optimal project outcomes.
- Invest in the development and recruitment of staff with specialised high level data skills.
- If there is a lack of high-level expertise in and across project teams, engage experts during the stage when the specific skill is required. To engage experts, look within your agency for internal expertise, look more broadly within NSW Government for expertise, or engage academics, industry associations or other organisations for expertise.
- Provide employees with foundational and specialised skills training and learning resources. For self-guided learning resources, refer to the NSW Data Skills – Learning Resources and the APS Data Literacy Learning Guide.
Additional resources
The following additional skills and benefits can be found in the Transport for NSW Digital Engineering Framework:
| Capabilities | Benefits | |
|---|---|---|
| Consistent understanding of infrastructure, infrastructure data and information management | Common language and appreciation for infrastructure data as a strategic managed asset | |
| Role specific training for IDMF elements | Improved internal capability for infrastructure data management | |
| New skills for procurement and project management | Improved tender assessment and project outcomes, ensuring partners and contractors/consultants meet data requirements | |
| New skills and tools for design review and approval | Improved assurance of project deliverables | |
|
Pre-approved panel offering services and subject-matter experts Cross disciplinary communication and coordination |
Access and rapid procurement of industry infrastructure data expertise Enhanced digital collaboration and streamlining of information handling across the asset lifecycle |
Last updated 07 Aug 2020