Must-know ICT and government terminology

The extent to which a government has migrated its information technology resources, such as data storage, applications, and computing power, to a cloud-based platform. This can involve using cloud-based software, infrastructure, or platforms provided by third-party vendors, such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), Microsoft Azure, or Google Cloud.

Collaboration software, also known as groupware, refers to a category of software applications that enable people to work together on common projects, tasks, or documents, regardless of their physical location. Collaboration software typically includes tools for communication, document sharing, project management, task tracking, and workflow automation.

Commercialised business units (CBUs) are government-owned entities that operate as commercial enterprises and compete in markets with private sector businesses. CBUs are established to provide goods and services to the public in a competitive and efficient manner, while generating revenue and making a profit. They are expected to operate on a commercial basis and to compete fairly with other businesses in their markets.

A type of government body that is established to investigate and report on a particular issue or set of issues. Commissions are typically set up by the government in response to a specific problem or concern, and are charged with conducting a thorough and impartial investigation, gathering evidence and information, and making recommendations for action. Commissions can be established at the federal, state or territory level, and may have a range of powers and functions, depending on their terms of reference. Some commissions are established as independent bodies, while others are established within existing government agencies. Examples of commissions in the Australian public sector include the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and the Productivity Commission.

A group of individuals who are appointed to undertake a specific task or to provide advice on a particular issue. Committees may be established by government departments, parliamentary bodies, or other government entities, and members may be drawn from a range of backgrounds, including government officials, industry experts, academics, and members of the public. Committees are generally responsible for conducting research and analysis, consulting with stakeholders, and providing recommendations to the relevant decision-makers. Examples of committees in the Australian public sector include parliamentary committees, which undertake inquiries into a range of policy and governance issues, and advisory committees, which provide expert advice to government departments on specific policy areas.

The individual hardware or software components that make up a larger system or application. It can refer to physical components, such as circuit boards, processors, or memory chips, as well as software components, such as libraries, frameworks, or modules.

Computer-aided design (CAD) is the use of computer technology to aid in the design and drafting of various engineering components and products. It is a software tool that allows designers and engineers to create two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) graphical representations of physical objects. CAD software is used across various industries, including automotive, aerospace, architecture, and product design, to improve the accuracy and efficiency of the design process.

The physical components of a computer system, including the central processing unit (CPU), memory (RAM), hard disk drive (HDD), solid-state drive (SSD), motherboard, power supply unit (PSU), graphics processing unit (GPU), sound card, network card, and other peripheral devices such as printers, scanners, and keyboards. These components work together to process and store data, run software applications, and perform various functions. Computer hardware can be broadly categorised into two types: input/output devices, such as keyboards and mice, and internal components, such as the CPU and motherboard.

A budget released in a year which does not feature an election - whether before or after the budget. Consolidation years allow governments to focus on their reform agendas without the distraction of an election, and typically feature elevated New Policy Proposal ICT funding compared to a pre-election or post-election budget.

Professional advice provided by experts on various aspects of information and communication technologies. These may include strategic planning, technology selection and implementation, system design and development, risk assessment and management, cybersecurity, project management, process improvement, and more. ICT consulting services are typically aimed at helping clients optimise their IT infrastructure, operations, and processes to achieve their business objectives, reduce costs, and improve efficiency in a rapidly evolving technological landscape.