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Last updated: 17 June 2005
What is the best way to manage information for your task?
Building greater capacity for information sharing is rapidly becoming part of core business. Whole of government work requires us to be aware of:
- new ways of managing information, particularly information needs for multi-agency and whole of government activity
- barriers to information sharing and the difficulties in integrating administration systems
- approaches to improve the capacity of agencies to manage and share information, including the technology solutions that will assist this.
Before you start you need to think about the following:
- Have you identified information sharing and management needs? Are you capturing and maintaining your data in a way that facilitates reuse and sharing? Are there agreed principles, protocols or standards? What other agencies may require access to information now or in the future?
- Is your proposed information sharing approach appropriate—do your communication, information gathering and distribution methods meet the needs of the stakeholders/communities? What mediums will you use—for example, emails, newsletters, shared workspace, communities of interest? Is there an existing network that you can use?
- Have you considered security, access and privacy requirements? What are the issues and how can they be managed? Will there be protocols or standards?
- Are there costs to information sharing? Do the costs need to be shared? How will this be done?
- How will you know that information sharing is effective? How will you evaluate it?
- Have you talked to the other agencies involved and do they agree with how information will be shared?
If it is statistical work, it may be worth speaking to the Australian Bureau of Statistics about the concept of the National Statistical Service. Its aim is to:
- increase the availability, accessibility and usability of information derived from key administrative and survey data sets by applying sound statistical and data management principles and practices
- forge statistical partnerships to share knowledge and expertise.
Note: Working out the best way to manage information for the task will not guarantee its success. In fact, success in working with people from other Australian government organisations tends to be about getting cultural factors right, such as good leadership and personal skills. Please also see Good Practice Guide — Creating a Culture for Success.
