Overview
The past month’s ICT operational modernisation and strategy. The upswing in interest in strategic value realisation continues as budgets get tighter and vendors continue announcing price increases. Artificial intelligence inquiries are becoming more nuanced and, in some cases, deeply technical.
Topical Inquiries
Solve
Optimising Microsoft 365 Licensing
A large client in the education sector needed to maximise value from its significant Microsoft agreement, aiming to prevent licence bleed and ensure operational efficiency. IBRS provided a detailed framework in a presentation that focused on licence recapture, introducing the ‘MRI Process’ (Monitor, Review, Intervene) and strategies for pooled licensing for applications such as Project and Visio. This included tailored advice on rightsizing M365 E5 provisioning based on actual usage and on configuring Flexera for cost optimisation, resulting in ongoing savings.
Request a whiteboard session: Microsoft licensing optimisation
Refining IT Operating Models for State Police
A state government police force sought to optimise its IT operating model, specifically regarding product and platform management, balancing BAU and new initiatives. IBRS recommended leveraging organisational design tools, such as Beamible, to map and visualise team activities against assets, and to provide metrics to quantify capacity. This approach helps the client identify and support new projects without over-leveraging existing teams, moving beyond anecdotal evidence to data-driven decision-making.
Make an inquiry: Review your IT operating model practices
Plan
Enhancing Digital Transformation Funding and Risk Management for Government
A state government department faced challenges in funding its digital transformation program amidst budget constraints and an undesirable risk profile. IBRS advised reframing the cost as vital risk management by monetising inaction and leadership liability. The recommendation included adopting a phased gateway model and the OGC review process for financial rigour, and presenting a costly fallback option to refine approval strategies, thereby securing necessary backing for change.
Make an inquiry: Digital transformation funding
Strategic Review of ICT Architecture and Operating Models for Government Businesses
A state government legal department required a review of its proposed market approach for future ICT architecture roadmaps and operating models for technology-intensive businesses. IBRS enhanced their document by recommending reframing around outcomes, acknowledging people, process, and data alongside systems. Advice included explicitly referencing frameworks like ITIL, assessing the cost of inaction (technical debt), positioning the PMO outside IT, and using OGC assurance methodology to bolster project success.
Make an Inquiry: Pencil review of ICT architecture
Explore
AI Investment Framework for the Australian Government
A federal government communications authority sought to structure AI investment cases and build a strategic position on AI adoption for government. IBRS provided a federated AI investment framework, advocating for AI as a unified platform of services rather than isolated projects. This framework ensures scalable, transparent investments aligned with national strategic priorities, addressing digital sovereignty, vendor lock-in, and budget constraints by promoting a ‘pay once, use many’ approach for critical capabilities.
Make an Inquiry: Creating a business case for enterprise AI
Leveraging Enterprise Risk for Sustainable Digital Transformation
A state government housing department required strategies for digital transformation funding and risk management. IBRS advised focusing on the enterprise risk register to secure backing for sustainable organisational change. Recommendations included adopting a streamlined, two-tiered approval pipeline for BAU requests versus significant architectural projects, establishing administrative guardrails such as mandatory IT consultation, and formalising cyber security and architectural approvals. This ensures effective governance and reduces operational overhead.
Make an Inquiry: Strategies for digital transformation funding and risk management
Hottest Topics
Document Reviews
- CIO Risk Register Review
- Pencil Review of Architecture Strategy
- Business Analyst Role Review and Recruitment Strategy for Fixed-Term Contract
- Service Design Project Scope and Best Practice Review
Whiteboard Sessions
- Organisational Change Strategy Development – Risk Leveraging and Structured Approvals: The session outlined leveraging risk registers for sustainable change and establishing a two-tiered approval pipeline with governance controls.
- Digital Initiative Strategy Workshop: Identified minimum viable risk mitigation paths, prioritised cost-effective options, and outlined pipeline management next steps.
- Microsoft Licensing Optimisation: Client gained practical strategies, identified key operational improvements, and understood how to choose and manage suppliers to maximise multi-million-dollar software investments.
- Orchestration Strategy Session Outcomes: Client gained clarity on resource alignment within a multi-vendor commercial framework.
- Project Alpha – Strategy and Assessment Framework Outcomes: Draft operating model, RFI template, timeline, and assessment process were outlined.
- Community Portal Strategy Review: The session confirmed that the client’s portal development aligns with best practices, focusing on user needs to achieve successful outcomes.
- Cloud Transformation Strategy – Session Outcome: Explored migration options, appointed project lead, planned readiness assessment and prioritisation for the client.
- Functional Mapping Session: Participants gained clarity and a visual representation of their operational processes.
- Project Discovery and Direction: Client gained clarity on the project’s future state, defining next steps and key deliverables.
