Must-know ICT and government terminology

The computer-based tools, software, and services that support various medical processes and workflows in healthcare institutions. These systems can include electronic health record (EHR) systems, medical imaging and diagnostic systems, patient monitoring systems, clinical decision support systems, and others.

A set of procedures, techniques, tools, and documentation used to guide the software development or project management process. It provides a framework to organise and streamline the process of building and deploying software systems or other ICT projects by breaking down the process into manageable stages and outlining the specific tasks and deliverables required at each stage.

A region that is densely populated and consists of a large urban area, typically including the capital city of a state or territory and its surrounding suburbs. The metropolitan areas are characterised by a high concentration of people, buildings, and infrastructure. These regions often have their own distinct economy, transportation network, and social services that are designed to cater to the needs of the large population.

The provision, management, and support of Microsoft products. This includes purchasing licenses for Microsoft software such as Windows, Office, and SQL Server, as well as managing the deployment, configuration, and maintenance of these products. It may also involve the implementation of Microsoft services such as Azure cloud computing, SharePoint, and Dynamics 365, and the management of subscriptions and licenses for these services.

A mid-year update to the Australian Government's projected budget outcomes, typically released each December (and no later than January, per the Charter of Budget Honesty Act 1998). The MYEFO includes updated projections for national economic outcomes and their impact on the government's bottom line, but also often introduces New Policy Proposal initiatives and funding in addition to those introduced in the budget.

State and territory jurisdictions have equivalent mid-year updates, though the nomenclature and the acronym can vary and not all of them include additional NPP funding. The New Zealand equivalent is the Half Year Economic and Fiscal Update.

Software that acts as a bridge between the operating system and the applications, allowing them to interact with each other in a seamless manner. Middleware can also provide additional functionality such as message queuing, transaction management, and security.

ICT used by armed forces or defence organisations. This can include a wide range of hardware and software products, as well as communication networks and systems, command and control systems, intelligence gathering and analysis tools, and cyber security measures. Military ICT is often designed to meet specific operational requirements, such as maintaining secure communications, coordinating missions, and providing real-time situational awareness in complex environments.

Ministers are members of the government who have been given an area of responsibility for how the jurisdiction is run. This area of responsibility is known as a portfolio. Examples of ministerial portfolios include Health, Environment, Defence, Foreign Affairs, Agriculture, and Immigration.

The administrative unit that supports a minister in their role as a member of the government. Each minister has their own ministerial office, which is staffed by a team of political advisors, policy advisors, and administrative staff. The ministerial office is responsible for providing advice and support to the minister in relation to their portfolio responsibilities, including developing and implementing policy initiatives, managing their media and public profile, and liaising with stakeholders and other levels of government. The ministerial office also manages the minister's parliamentary and electoral activities, including preparing speeches, managing correspondence, and organising events and engagements. The ministerial office operates under the direction of the minister, and its staff are appointed by the minister, rather than through the public service recruitment process.

A relatively small-scale project which is not required to meet more stringent procurement probity requirements. The exact definition of minor works can vary between different government agencies and jurisdictions, but typically these are projects that involve relatively low levels of risk, cost, and complexity, and can be completed in a short period of time. The threshold for what qualifies as a minor work may be determined by the agency's policies or procurement rules, or by applicable legislation or regulations.