IMT Statement of Strategy 2017-2020

www.agriculture.gov.ie

Information Management & Technology

Strategy 2017-2020

www.agriculture.gov.ie

Contents

Executive Summary

Business Environment

Business Context Measuring Success Business and IMT Alignment

Strategic Direction

IMT Strategic Goals Proposed New Business Systems Delivery Model IMT Contribution to Business Success

Control Management

IMT Principles IMT Governance IT Value for Money IMT Risks

IMT Provision

IMT Services & Processes People & Sourcing IMT Capabilities

Bibliography

Executive

Summary

The Irish economy is now on a pathway to recovery and the Department, following a number of years restructuring and reform, has demonstrated that it can maintain the delivery of high quality schemes and services to its stakeholders in a challenging environment. The DAFM IMT Statement of Strategy for the period 2017-2020 builds on the progress made in the previous IMT Strategy and is closely aligned with strategies and targets set out in the DAFM Statement of Strategy 2017-2020, the Public Service ICT Strategy, Food Wise 2025, the Programme for Government and the Civil Service Renewal Plan. While focussing on IT service quality, this IMT Strategy establishes the groundwork to stimulate improved project and service delivery. The next 3 years will focus on continuing to attain the best value possible from improving systems and their information security, implementing innovative solutions and increasing benefits through developing quality management information systems. This strategy will be implemented in a time of rarely seen change and the key goal of IMT is to ensure that the technology and systems required to enable the Department to deliver its operational mandate are made available, maintained and supported to the highest standards into the foreseeable future. With a continuing focus on training and best practice, the IMT Strategy aims to empower:

• The Department’s IMT teams to improve service delivery • The Department to make the best use of all the information at its disposal -in particular in the areas of data analysis and reporting • Business areas to expand their capabilities • The Department to continue to provide excellent customer service • IMT to maximise value for money through the appropriate use of Civil Service Wide ICT Central Services delivered by OGCIO and NSSO • IMT to continue its work of enhancing information security throughout the Department

Sean Keevey Director of IMT

IMT Statement of Strategy 2017-2020

The Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine is a central Government body. It is one of the oldest and largest Departments in the State and delivers a large range of services to its customers. It is committed to driving the sustainable development of the agri-food, forestry and marine sectors through our policies and strategies such as Food Wise 2025.

Mission of the Department:

“Serving the Government and people of Ireland by leading, developing and regulating the agri-food sector, protecting public health and optimising social, economic and environmental benefits”

The main objectives of the Department are:

Food Safety, Animal and Plant Health and Animal Welfare To promote and safeguard public, animal and plant health and animal welfare for the benefit of the consumer, the environment, the economy and society

Sector Support Provide income and market supports to farmers and agri- food sector so as to stimulate economic activity

Policy and Strategy Provide the optimum policy framework for the sustainable development of the agri-food sector

Seafood Sector Deliver a sustainable, growth driven sector focused on competitiveness and innovation driven by a skilled workforce delivering value added products in line with market demands

Corporate Development Maintain and develop strategic, operational, regulatory and technical capacity within DAFM to achieve operational excellence

Business Context

IMT Statement of Strategy 2017-2020

Measuring Success

DAFM will measure its success by the implementation of these strategies and policies

IMT Statement of Strategy 2017-2020

Improved Customer

Relationship

On-going implementation of

Harnessing our Ocean Wealth Strategy

DAFM Organisational

Review

Development of appropriate

business systems around Food

Safety

Development of Laboratories as

Scientific Centre of Excellence

Implementation of:

CAP Pillar 1 & 2

Common Fisheries Policy & Forestry

Programme

Development of Animal Health and Welfare

Strategy

Operational Excellence

Business KPIs Fast and Compliant Payment of Funds

Effective Policy Negotiation and Formulation

Assurance in relation to Animal Health and Food Safety

Contribution to Environmental Protection and Climate Change

Timely delivery of efficient payments

systems

Consistent quality data available to inform

analysis and decision making

Support staff in the field and laboratories by adopting the most appropriate new

technologies

Maximum use of available data e.g. Spatial data

Maintain ISO27001 Information Security

standard

Improved communication and connectivity across the Department and its

agencies

Data gathering/horizon scanning

Improved inter-agency communications

Comprehensive reports and metrics across

business areas

Introduce risk and contingency based

responsive systems for changing conditions

Enhanced digital services including Internet of

Things e.g. remote sensor technology

Increased use of metrics to assist in tackling

climate change challenges

Access to appropriate Management Information

Provision and Use of ICT Central Services

Project governance in line with Departmental and DPER standards

Business and IMT Alignment

IMT Statement of Strategy 2017-2020

IMT Actions

IMT STRATEGIC GOALS 2017 -2020

Provide ICT services to allow the Department to operate at the highest possible level;

To support excellent Customer Service and the continued implementation of appropriate systems of accountability and controls

Digital/Mobile

IMT will explore the use of Mobile and Digital Business technologies and delivery channels such as sensors, apps etc.

Data as an Asset

IMT will assist the Department in exploiting the value of its data in order to enhance analysis and decision making and to ensure information security. IMT will be an active participant in the establishment of the new data analytics unit.

Programme Management IMT will provide the processes and technical environments

necessary to ensure efficient and timely delivery of fit-for-purpose business systems.

IMT Capability IMT will focus on the mentoring and development of staff and

resources contributing to delivery of systems and services which will improve the Customer experience.

ICT Central Services IMT will avail of ICT Central Services such as those provided by

the OGCIO, OGP, the National Shared Services Centre and will provide access to its own services to support other Departments and agencies.

IMT Statement of Strategy 2017-2020

8

Plan Plan Plan Plan

Central Business Analysis

Central Testing

Build Build Build Build

Central Reports & Data Analytics

System A System B System C System D

Deploy & Maintain

Deploy & Maintain

Deploy & Maintain

Deploy & Maintain

System A

System C

System D

Design and Build

System Test

Reports

Business Analysis

Design and Build

System Test

Reports

Business Analysis

Business Analysis

Design and Build

System

Test

Reports

Business Analysis

Design and Build

System

Test

Reports

System B

Current Systems Delivery Model Future Systems Delivery Model

Proposed New Business Systems Delivery Model

IMT Contribution to Business Success

Over the course of this strategy IMT will contribute to DAFM goals by the following:

Enhance digital services including Internet of Things e.g. remote sensor technology Enhanced mobile technologies Adoption of appropriate new technologies Secure Cloud Computing in line with OGCIO cloud adoption policy

Comprehensive reports and metrics across business areas

Consistent quality data available to inform analysis and decision making including the establishment of a data analytics unit and a centralised reporting team Data gathering/horizon scanning

Facilitate sharing of data across DAFM, its agencies and the wider public service in line with the Open Data initiative

Maintain ISO 27001 Information Security standard accreditation Ensuring Project governance in line with Departmental and DPER standards Formation of centralised IT Test and Business Analysis functions to ensure timely project delivery and a higher quality product Establish an IMT Enterprise Architecture Group to apply best practice principles and practices providing the capability to better support DAFM IMT and business processes

Build expertise and manage IMT staff career paths through learning and development within ICT streams Encourage participation in Certified ICT programmes Work with OGCIO in the establishment of a ICT Skills Capability Programme

Provide new and maintain existing ICT Central Services to other Departments e.g. DCCAE, Teagasc, Bord Bia, hosting data centre facilities etc. Avail of ICT Central Services such as OGP, PeoplePoint, ePQ etc. Improved internal & external communications and connectivity across the Department and its agencies

IMT Goals

Digital /Mobile

Data as an Asset

Programme Management

IMT Capability ICT Central Services

IMT Performance Indicators

Services delivered across a range of channels. Increased online applications

Quality management information available to assist in policy and decision making

Appropriate structures in place to facilitate adherence to the highest standards of project governance

DAFM IMT staff appropriately skilled in a range of technologies

Improved efficiencies and reduced costs in systems development and operations

Public Service ICT Strategy

Digital First Data as an Enabler Improve Governance

Increase Capability

Build to Share

IMT will:

•Work collaboratively with business areas to continually develop solutions which meet their requirements

•Maintain the Information Security standard ISO 27001 and uphold the confidentiality, availability and integrity of all Department information

•Ensure that all systems are appropriately designed and conform to agreed standards

•Undertake to operate in accordance with government and EU policy in relation to open data and data sharing

•Ensure appropriate structures are in place to enable DAFM to adhere to the highest standards of governance

•Adhere and align itself to the principles of the OGCIO and the strategic objectives of the Public Service Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Strategy by actively working with the OGCIO in relation to the delivery and use of shared services such as ePQ, Cloud, Digital Services, ICT Capability etc.

•Hold our customers information in a safe and secure manner

In order to implement an IMT Strategy for the Department, a set of principles is vital to support the IMT approach to service delivery and facilitate a shared direction and alignment across the organisation

IMT Principles

IMT Statement of Strategy 2017-2020

IMT Governance: Decision Making Responsibilities

Decision Domain Accountable Responsible Implementer Informed

Strategy ITSC* Director of IMT PMO and IMT MB/OGCIO

Business Processes DAFM Senior Management

DAFM Senior Management

IMT Staff and Systems ITSC/MB

Investments / Benefits ITSC Director of IMT Director of IMT and

IMT Finance Division ITSC

Architecture ITSC Enterprise Architecture

Group

IMT Tech Staff and External expertise and

advice ITSC

Risk

IMT Senior Management/Project

Boards

Project Manager Project Teams

Project Board/ITSC

Sourcing Director of IMT IMT Senior Management

PAS/HR/

IMT Finance Division ITSC/MB

*The Information Technology Steering Committee (ITSC) is a senior management board that oversees the on-going operation and delivery of IMT Services across the Department. It is comprised of a group of senior managers from both IMT and Business areas. The ITSC monitors and reviews on-going programmes, takes responsibility for new initiatives, provides insight on long-term strategies and ensures business objectives are being appropriately addressed.

MB = Management Board; IMT = Information Management & Technology; ITSC = Information Technology Steering Committee ; PMO = Programme Management Office; OGCIO = Office of the Government Chief Information Officer

IMT Statement of Strategy 2017-2020

IMT Value for Money

IMT is committed to providing Value for Money in the provision of its services by maximising available resources and putting in place robust processes

Value for Money

Consolidation of Systems and

Services

Vendor Management

Proper Governance of Project Design

& Development

Robust Procurement

Procedures and use of OGP

Frameworks

Financial & Risk Management

Consuming & Providing ICT

Central Services in Consultation with the OGCIO

VFM Measurement &

Evaluation

IMT Statement of Strategy 2017-2020

Risks Mitigation

Insufficient internal resources to support

delivery of IMT Services

Professionalisation of ICT career streams Targeted recruitment Increased staff mobility Mentoring and succession planning

Constantly changing environment of the

agri-food industry

Brexit

Properly constituted enterprise architecture Generic, flexible systems Horizontal delivery teams for testing, business analysis

and reporting Agile development and new technologies where

appropriate On-going training

Maintaining the standard of service

delivery

Excellent Programme and Risk Management practices Establishing an Enterprise Architecture group Ensuring appropriate resourcing

Failure to maintain ISO 27001 Information

Security Standard accreditation

On-going review and monitoring of DAFM IMT Security policies in line with standards laid out in ISO 27001 Information Security standard

On-going 6 monthly audits

Cyber security Formation of a designated Cyber Security Co-ordination Unit within IMT

Unavailability of suitable Management

and Operational Information due to

insufficient data analytics and reporting

capability

Invest in, support and provide capability for data analytics – establishment of data analytics unit.

Increased reporting capability and establishment of central reporting team

IMT Statement of Strategy 2017-2020

IMT Risks

IMT Services & Processes

IMT provides a range of essential desktop services across the Department ensuring the smooth running of the office and business functions

As an accredited EU paying agency, IMT provides the online services and processes which underpin the payments of EU schemes and programmes totalling 1.3 billion annually

In line with the Public Sector Reform directive “Build to Share” DAFM IMT provides a range of ICT Central Services across multiple departments and agencies.

IMT Programme Management Office progresses collaboration between business areas and IMT to improve governance and ensure that the benefits of technology continue to improve customer services.

IMT provides systems to assure food safety and support Animal Health and Welfare, Marine and Forestry Services

The Department is ISO 27001 accredited and will continue to facilitate the Department to maintain the security of the information in its possession

Extensive reporting to support operational, business and policy areas

Desktop Support Systems

Business Enabling Systems

Payment Systems

ICT Central Services

Reporting

Project Management

ISO27001 Information

Security standard Accredited

IMT Statement of Strategy 2017-2020

As of 30th June 2016 the DAFM IMT Group consisted of approximately 300 staff (a mix of internal and some external resources) based in a wide geographical spread of locations.

Over the term of this strategy and in line with the actions outlined in the Civil Service Renewal Plan, the strategic objectives of the Public Service ICT Strategy and the DAFM Organisation Review, the IMT Group will manage staff career paths through learning and development within ICT streams, succession planning and by the implementation of a mobility policy.

Skills development of internal staff will be determined by the strategic and operational requirements of the Department. Up skilling of staff in line with these requirements will allow our people to attain the optimum level of competence and professionalism thus ensuring the maximum level of service to the Department whilst at the same time providing IMT staff with an interesting and rewarding career.

Where additional specialist ICT skills are required, the services of external contracted resources will be procured by availing of open EU procurement processes and central Government frameworks. These resources will be utilised to augment our internal IMT teams primarily in the development and support of our major ICT systems.

People & Sourcing

IMT Statement of Strategy 2017-2020

Capability Current Capability Proposed Capability

Data Analytics Low High

IMT Capability Medium High

Mobile/Digital Services Medium High

ICT Central Services Medium High

Project Management Office

Medium High

System Development Medium-High High

Information Security Medium-High High

This table illustrates the key strategic capabilities of IMT at present and is used to show the prioritised areas for intervention over the course of this Statement of Strategy

IMT Capabilities

IMT Statement of Strategy 2017-2020

Bibliography

DAFM IMT Statement of Strategy 2013-2016

DAFM Statement of Strategy 2017 – 2019

DAFM Schemes & Services 2014-2020

DAFM - Food Wise 2025

DPER – Public Service ICT Strategy

Gartner IT Strategy Template

IMT Statement of Strategy 2017-2020