Must-know ICT and government terminology

A government body that is established by an Act of Parliament and operates independently of the government. These entities are typically created to perform specific functions or to regulate particular industries, and they are granted certain powers and responsibilities under the relevant legislation. Statutory entities may have their own governing boards or executives, and they are accountable to the Parliament rather than to the government of the day.

The technologies and processes used to retain, manage, and retrieve digital data. This includes physical devices such as hard drives, solid-state drives, tape drives, and flash memory, as well as software and services used to manage the storage of data.

The process of developing a comprehensive plan to achieve the long-term goals and objectives of an organisation in the realm of information technology. This plan outlines the vision, mission, and objectives of an organisation with respect to its use of technology, and identifies the key initiatives, projects, and investments required to achieve these goals. Strategic planning in the ICT industry typically involves assessing the organisation's current technology capabilities, identifying gaps and areas for improvement, evaluating emerging technology trends, and aligning technology investments with broader organisational goals and objectives.

A model of accessing software, services or content where users pay a recurring fee (usually monthly or annually) to access and use them. The subscription model differs from the traditional model of purchasing software or services outright, where users pay a one-time fee for permanent ownership or access. The advantage of the subscription model is that it allows users to access the latest versions of software and services, and they can often scale up or down their usage based on their needs.

Government entities that operate under the auspices of a parent agency or department. Subsidiary agencies are often created to undertake specific tasks or functions that are related to the parent agency's broader responsibilities. These agencies may have some degree of autonomy in their operations, but they ultimately report to the parent agency and are subject to its direction and oversight.

The process of evaluating and certifying ICT suppliers based on their ability to provide quality products or services that meet the required standards and specifications. It involves assessing the supplier's technical capability, financial stability, risk management practices, and other relevant factors. Accreditation helps ensure that only qualified and competent suppliers are engaged to provide ICT products or services to the public sector. It also promotes competition and transparency in the procurement process and reduces the risk of supplier-related problems, such as delays, quality issues, and security breaches.

The process of providing technical assistance and troubleshooting services to users of information and communication technology (ICT) products and services. ICT support and maintenance can include diagnosing and resolving software or hardware issues, configuring and installing new software or hardware, maintaining network infrastructure, and providing training and support to end-users. ICT support and maintenance services are typically provided by specialised technical support staff or third-party service providers, and may be offered on-site or remotely.

The collection of information or data from a group of people or target audience, typically through a questionnaire or set of questions that are administered online or in-person. Surveys can be used to gather feedback on various aspects of technology, such as user satisfaction, customer needs, product features, and market trends. The data collected from surveys can be used to inform decision-making, product development, marketing strategies, and other processes.

A methodology used in the field of information technology to analyse, design, and develop systems. The process involves understanding the requirements of the system, defining its scope, identifying the necessary hardware and software components, and designing a solution that meets the needs of the stakeholders. This involves creating models, diagrams, and other representations of the system to facilitate communication and collaboration among the development team, users, and other stakeholders.

The process of designing the fundamental structure of a computer or information system, including hardware, software, network, and security components. It involves understanding and defining the system's requirements, selecting appropriate hardware and software components, and creating a blueprint or diagram that outlines the system's design and functionality.