A glossary of information and communication technology (ICT) and public sector terms to help suppliers more credibly engage with government.
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| Data Warehouse | A central repository comprising data from different sources, allowing for more efficient and effective analysis and reporting of the data. |
| Database Administration, Development and Support | The process of designing, implementing, and maintaining database systems for an organisation, including tasks such as creating and modifying database structures, optimising database performance, and ensuring data security and integrity. |
| Defence | Agencies responsible for the nation's defence and national security. This includes the Australian Defence Force (ADF), the Department of Defence, and various other agencies and bodies involved in defence policy, planning, procurement, and operations. The defence sector's responsibilities include protecting Australia's borders, responding to national emergencies, and contributing to international peacekeeping and security efforts. |
| Department | Government agencies responsible for a specific area of policy or service delivery. Departments are headed by a minister, who is appointed by the government to oversee the agency's operations and implement the government's policies in that area. Departments are typically organised into divisions or branches, each responsible for a specific aspect of the agency's work. Examples of Australian government departments include the Department of Health, the Department of Education, and the Department of Home Affairs. |
| Deputy Head of Agency | The second in command within a government agency or department. They are responsible for assisting the head of agency in the overall management and administration of the agency, and may also be designated to lead specific functions or programs within the agency. |
| Deputy Premier | A high-ranking government official in some Australian states and territories who serves as the second-in-command to the Premier. In some jurisdictions, the Deputy Premier may also hold additional ministerial responsibilities. They are usually appointed by the Premier and are responsible for assisting the Premier in the administration of the state or territory. |
| Deputy Prime Minister | The second-highest ranking member of the federal government after the Prime Minister. The role is held by a senior member of the governing party, usually the leader of the junior coalition partner or a senior member of the Prime Minister's party, who is appointed by the Prime Minister. The Deputy Prime Minister performs a range of duties including representing the government in parliament, acting as a spokesperson for the government, and assuming the role of Acting Prime Minister when the Prime Minister is absent or unable to perform their duties. |
| Desktop | Personal computers (PCs) that are designed to be used on a desk or workstation, typically used for general-purpose tasks such as word processing, internet browsing, and multimedia consumption. In the context of government procurement, desktops may be purchased as individual units or as part of a larger procurement of ICT equipment. |
| Development Tool | Software or programming environments used by developers to create, test, and debug applications or software systems. |
| Devolution | In a hierarchical structure - such as the machinery of Australian governments - devolution refers to decision-making (such as procurement practices or setting policy) taking place at a lower level of government rather than through a centralised or Whole-of-Government authority. Australian governments' Westminster organisation means that agencies are comparatively devolved (independent or siloed, depending on how one views them), and as a result a significant degree of decision-making takes place at the individual agency level. |