21 April 2005

New study reveals secrets of successful ICT implementation

A ground-breaking study of Australian workplace practice has identified the key management principles that help maximise the benefit of information and communications technology (ICT), the Minister for Communications, Information Technology and the Arts, Senator Helen Coonan, said today.

“The survey of 1050 firms from 15 industry categories analyses the management and organisational strategies that accompany effective ICT use,” Senator Coonan told a business breakfast in Sydney.

“The study—Achieving Value from ICT: key management strategies—found that regardless of an organisation’s size, and no matter what industry sector it operates in, the level of benefit achieved from an ICT investment is largely a function of effective management.”

This survey is the largest and most comprehensive of its kind undertaken in Australia and is the first in a planned series of related studies.

“The survey found that investment in ICT is frequently treated as a technical exercise with implementation left to IT managers,” Senator Coonan said.

“But ICT needs to be driven from the boardroom not the backroom. Unless there is recognition at the highest levels of that technology is critical to an organisation’s ongoing success – and there is the drive and patience to pursue technology strategies from senior management, then the chances of a successful implementation of ICT are significantly lessened.

“It is clear that leadership is essential for making the most of technology and boosting the economy. The report offers advice for bringing about managerial and organisational change to boost the competitiveness, efficiency and productivity of an organisation.”

The Australian Government has made a considerable commitment to innovation including $308 million specifically for ICT programs, including continuing funding of $36 million for ICT incubators. This is in addition to earlier Government support of $6.5 million to assist the uptake of e-business, $18.5 million in grants to explore B2B e-commerce solutions and the introduction of mandatory SME participation levels for large Government ICT contracts.

Achieving Value from ICT: key management strategies has been prepared by Opticon Australia, a major IT consultancy firm, and the Australian National University’s National Centre for Information Systems Research, which is a leader in exploring the adoption and strategic use of information systems and technology.

The report is available in hard copy from Leanne Hirzel at the Department of Communications, Information Technology and the Arts (phone 02 6271 1162) or by download from http://www.dcita.gov.au/ie/publications

Media Contact: Jane McMillan 0438 690 305

www.minister.dcita.gov.au