Must-know ICT and government terminology

A procurement method where the buyer approaches a supplier or a limited number of suppliers directly to purchase goods or services, instead of using a competitive tendering process. In the Australian public sector procurement context, direct sourcing is subject to rules and guidelines, and it may be used only in specific situations, such as when the goods or services are only available from a single supplier, in cases of urgency, or when there is a need to maintain a specific level of compatibility with existing equipment or systems.

The processes, technologies, and policies used to protect digital information and quickly restore it in the event of data loss, system failure, or other disasters.

The activities and measures that are put in place to ensure the recovery of essential services, infrastructure, and communities in the event of a disaster. This includes the development of contingency plans, establishment of emergency response mechanisms, and implementation of recovery programs to assist affected individuals and communities. Disaster recovery services are typically provided by state and territory governments, with the support of the federal government when required, and are designed to mitigate the impact of natural disasters, such as floods, bushfires, and storms, on the lives and livelihoods of Australians.

A process through which the government disposes of any goods, assets or property that it no longer needs or has use for. The process involves inviting bids from potential buyers who are interested in acquiring the government's surplus or unwanted assets. Disposal tenders are usually open to the public, and can be conducted via various methods such as public auctions, online sales, or private treaty sales.

A computing system that uses multiple computers connected via a network to solve a single problem or perform a task.

A senior executive responsible for the management of a specific division within a government agency or department. They report directly to the head of agency or deputy head of agency and are responsible for implementing and delivering the agency's strategic objectives and policies within their division.

A set of practices, technologies, and tools that enable organisations to manage and control the creation, storage, organisation, and retrieval of electronic documents and files. The primary goal of document management is to streamline and automate document-based processes, ensure regulatory compliance, and enhance collaboration among teams. Document management systems can include features like version control, access control, document tracking, workflow management, and document retention policies.

Driver software, also known as a device driver or hardware driver, is a computer program that enables communication between the operating system and a hardware device. It serves as a translator by converting high-level commands or requests from the operating system into low-level device-specific commands that the hardware can understand and execute.

The overall economic conditions and trends that affect an government's operations. This can include factors such as inflation, interest rates, economic growth, and exchange rates. In In intermedium's assessments, particular attention is paid to factors affecting government revenue and to the government's stated (or anticipated) fiscal policy.

Agencies responsible for all levels of formal education, including early childhood education, primary and secondary schooling, vocational education and training (VET), and higher education. The sector is largely overseen by the state and territory governments, although the federal government also plays a role in funding and policy development.