The Australian Government has released an APS Workforce Planning Guide. This is for planning of jobs in the federal government, formally known as the Australian Public Service (APS). This is timely with government enforced reductions in funding to federal agencies forcing large scale reductions in employment. Without some planning, the cutbacks in jobs could result in an unbalanced workforce, without the necessary skills and experience.
One interesting aspect is that ICT is categorized separately from technical and engineering jobs, although most university have now incorporated their ICT schools into the engineering faculty. There is still some overlap between Information and Knowledge Management, ICT and administrative skills.
The Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) have issued the guide under a Creative Commons license, allowing modification and reuse of the documents by government and private organizations. Unfortunately the APSC has produced the documents for paper publication, with the electronic versions not suited to on-line viewing.
This is a very comprehensive and well written guide. However, the Australian Government does not have any unique workforce planning requirements. As an example, there is nothing which makes a ICT professional working for the Australian government different to one working for state, local government or the private sector. It would be better for the APS to integrate its planning with that of other levels of Australian government and with the private sector, than produce its own unique requirements. As an example, the Open University UK have created SFIA generic IT professional job roles created using the standard skills sets from the Skills Framework for the Information Age.
The
APS Workforce Planning Guide consists of:
- APS Job Family model
- Introduction and how to use the guide
- Workforce planning explained
- Initiation and planning for workforce planning
- Segmenting your workforce
- Demand analysis
- Supply analysis
- Gap analysis and strategy and initiative development
- Implementation and monitoring, evaluation, review and adjustment
- Templates
Here are the Background, Guiding Principles and the ICT job descriptions extracted from the APS Planning Guide, and converted to HTML:
Background
In May 2011, the Australian Public Service Commission held a symposium to discuss workforce planning, in particular the barriers faced by workforce planning practitioners and what the Commission could do to assist agencies implement or improve workforce planning.
The symposium delegates articulated that forecasting workforce supply and demand is difficult without an established system for clearly understanding occupational groupings or skill areas in the workforce. Standard groupings of this sort are at the foundation for understanding workforce shortages, flows, development, and potential risks to business delivery. The 2009-10 State of the Service Agency Survey found that only 29% of APS agencies had a formal skill-based system for classifying occupations this finding highlights significant deficiencies of an essential component of workforce planning.
Agencies indicated that to progress workforce planning across the APS, the APSC could assist by developing a common APS Job Family Model (the model)- means of describing and analysing the workforce with linkages to the broader labour market, with view to identifying high-risk capability areas.
The two key aims of the model are to provide:
a data set that accommodates a large proportion of, if not all job roles performed in the APS; and
linkages with the Australian labour market.
The main reference point for the majority of the functions and roles defined within this model is the Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO). This is to enable the use of labour market information, published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations, to assess workforce risks.
A practical example of the use of these data sets can be found in the ICT occupational group. The recent focus on workforce planning and the development of an APS ICT Capability Framework, as a result of the government's response to the recommendations of the Gershon Review, has helped agencies define their ICT workforce capability and enabled improved analysis of the external and internal demand and supply factors. The ICT Capability Framework provides a sound foundation for mapping the roles performed within the ICT Job Family to ANZSCO.
The next tranche of work for the model is to continue to collaborate with agencies as they begin implementing the model, to develop definitions for each job function and role to ensure consistency in language and approach to mapping positions across the APS.
The job family model, when viewed across the functions of an organisation, can provide agencies with a deeper view of their workforce, allowing enhanced analysis of the workforce and the associated risks these pose to business deliverables.
The Australian Public Service Workforce Planning Guide Module: Segmenting your workforce provides detail on undertaking a systematic approach to job role profiling.
The model is not mandated for use across the APS, however the development of the model will create efficiencies within an organisation and more broadly across the APS through clear and consistent language and data sets.
The Model
The APS Job Family Model:
Groups functionally similar positions that have related skills, tasks and knowledge blocks;
Does not reflect work level; and
Is hierarchical and has four tiers.
Guiding Principles
The Job Family model aims to be inclusive rather than exclusive.
Roles aim to group positions that have similar core skills or knowledge blocks.
The complexity within a role is defined by the work level standards not by separate roles.
Where a position undertakes a number of job roles, it may be helpful to identify the core purpose of the position, key accountability or criticality to business.
Roles within Strategic Policy are considered separate from internal policy roles which are performed within a specific subject matter. For example, a position that deals with advising an organisation or writing HR policy would sit within the People Family.
Should suit roles that exist now but also have a view to the workforce of the future. ...
Information and Communications Technology
ICT roles plan, organise, direct, control, coordinate and support the ICT strategies, plans and operations of an organisation to ensure the ICT infrastructure and software supports the organisation's overall operations and priorities.
ICT |
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| Job function name | Job function description | 4 digit ANZSCO code | 4 digit ANZSCO description | Job role | Job role description | ANZSCO code | ANZSCO name | ANZSCO description |
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Business Change | The Coordination of ICT projects and programs and ownership of business process design and analysis | 1351 | ICT MANAGERS plan, organise, direct, control and coordinate the acquisition, development, maintenance and use of computer and telecommunication systems within organisations.
Tasks Include:
- analysing information needs and specifying technology to meet those needs
- formulating and directing information and communication technology strategies, policies and plans
- directing the selection and installation of ICT resources and the provision of user training
- directing ICT operations and setting priorities between system developments, maintenance and operations
- overseeing the security of ICT systems. | Business Process Analysis / Design | Analysis of the business functions, processes and associated needs/capabilities, including the definition of user requirements, leading to the design and development of Agency ICT systems. | 261111 | ICT Business Analyst | Identifies and communicates with users to formulate and produce a requirements specification to create system and software solutions. |
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Programme and Project Management | The Planning & coordination of ICT portfolios, programs & Projects. | 135112 | ICT Project Manager | Plans, organises, directs, controls and coordinates quality accredited ICT projects. Accountable for day-to-day operations of resourcing, scheduling, prioritisation and task coordination, and meeting project milestones, objectives and deliverables within agreed timeframes and budgets. |
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IT Business Management | The Governance of Agency ICT capability, delivery and quality | 135 | ICT MANAGERS plan, organise, direct, control and coordinate the acquisition, development, maintenance and use of computer and telecommunication systems within organisations.
Tasks Include:
- analysing information needs and specifying technology to meet those needs
- formulating and directing information and communication technology strategies, policies and plans
- directing the selection and installation of ICT resources and the provision of user training
- directing ICT operations and setting priorities between system developments, maintenance and operations
- overseeing the security of ICT systems | Procurement and Vendor Relations | The procurement of ICT resources, management of suppliers and assets. | 591113 | Purchasing Officer | Prepares purchase orders, monitors supply sources and negotiates contracts with suppliers. |
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Quality Assurance | Ensuring that the agreed quality standards are adhered to and that best practice is promulgated. | 263211 | ICT Quality Assurance Engineer | Creates, maintains and manages technical quality assurance processes and procedures to assess efficiency, validity, value and functional performance of computer systems and environments, and audits systems to ensure compliance with, and adherence to, accredited internal and external industry quality standards and regulations. May supervise the work of ICT quality assurance teams. |
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Strategic Leadership | Making a contribution to the overall planning, direction, governance and quality of performance of the Information Systems. | 135111 | Chief Information Officer | Plans, organises, directs, controls and coordinates the ICT strategies, plans and operations of an organisation to ensure the ICT infrastructure supports the organisation's overall operations and priorities. |
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Service Delivery | The Installation, maintenance and operation of information systems | 262 | DATABASE AND SYSTEMS ADMINISTRATORS, AND ICT SECURITY SPECIALISTS plan, develop, maintain, manage and administer organisations' database management systems, operating systems and security policies and procedures to ensure optimal database and system integrity, security, backup, reliability and performance. Tasks Include: - designing and maintaining database architecture, data structures, tables, dictionaries and naming conventions to ensure the accuracy and completeness of all data master files - performing the operational establishment and preventive maintenance of backups, recovery procedures, and enforcing security and integrity controls - implementing and administering database documentation, guidelines, policies and procedures - testing database systems and upgrades, such as debugging, tracking, reproduction, logging and resolving all identified problems, according to approved quality testing scripts, procedures and processes - accepting responsibility for the processes, procedures and operational management associated with system security and disaster recovery planning - liaising with security vendors, suppliers, service providers and external resources; analysing, recommending, installing and maintaining software security applications; and monitoring contractual obligations, performance delivery and service level agreements - troubleshooting and providing service support in diagnosing, resolving and repairing server-related hardware and software malfunctions, encompassing workstations and communication infrastructure - preparing and maintaining documentation, policies and instructions, and recording and detailing operational procedures and system logs - ensuring that the design of computer sites allows all components to fit together and work properly, and monitoring and adjusting the performance of networks - continually surveying the current computer site to determine future network needs and making recommendations for enhancements in the implementation of future servers and networks | Databases and Data | The administration, monitoring and maintenance of databases | 262111 | Database Administrator | Plans, develops, configures, maintains and supports an organisation's database management system in
accordance with user requirements ensuring optimal database integrity, security, backup, reliability and
performance. |
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Information / Knowledge Management | The control and exploitation of information to meet the needs of an organisation (strategy, policy, design, sourcing, maintenance, analysis, storage, compliance, use, combination and interpretation). | 2247 | Information and Organisation Professionals (Knowledge Manager) | MANAGEMENT AND ORGANISATION ANALYSTS assist organisations to achieve greater efficiency and solve organisational problems, and study organisational structures, methods, systems and procedures. |
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Infrastructure and Facilities | The administration, monitoring and maintenance of ICT infrastructure and facilities. | 313111 | Hardware Technician | Supports and maintains computer systems and peripherals by installing, configuring, testing, troubleshooting, and repairing hardware. |
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Networks and Telecommunications | The operation and control of all LAN, WAN and Telecommunications equipment. | 263 | ICT Network and Support Professionals | ICT NETWORK AND SUPPORT PROFESSIONALS research, analyse, plan, design, install, monitor and maintain ICT systems to support the business needs of organisations and individuals. |
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| Security | The operation of information security controls to maintain confidentiality and integrity, including the authorisation and monitoring of access to ICT facilities or infrastructure in accordance with established organisational security policy. | 262112 | ICT Security Specialist | Establishes, manages and administers an organisation's ICT security policy and procedures to ensure preventive and recovery strategies are in place, and minimise the risk of internal and external security threats. |
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Service Management | The management of ICT systems and services in relation to their contribution to business performance. The management of bought-in services & outsourced services. | 135199 | ICT Managers Nec | This occupation group covers ICT Managers not elsewhere classified. |
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Systems Administration | The installation, administration and maintenance of system software such as operating systems, data management products, office automation products and other utility software. | 262113 | Systems Administrator | Plans, develops, installs, troubleshoots, maintains and supports an operating system and associated server
hardware, software and databases ensuring optimum system integrity, security, backup and performance. |
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Service Support | The provision of ICT service support to help ensure the effective delivery of Information Systems | 3131 | ICT SUPPORT TECHNICIANS provide support for the deployment and maintenance of computer infrastructure and web technology and the diagnosis and resolution of technical problems.
Tasks Include:
- determining software and hardware requirements to provide solutions to problems
- responding to inquiries about software and hardware problems
- adapting existing programs to meet users' requirements
- installing and downloading appropriate software
- ensuring efficient use of applications and equipment
- implementing computer networks
- designing and maintaining web sites
- repairing and replacing peripheral equipment such as terminals, printers and modems
- may work in a call centre | Helpdesk / Support | The management and resolution of incidents and problems throughout the information system lifecycle. | 313112 | ICT Support Officer | Provides support, education and guidance in the deployment and maintenance of computer infrastructure and the diagnosis and resolution of technical problems and issues. May work in a call centre. |
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Training and Development | The provision of learning & development support services in the form of documentation, training, eLearning and facilitation. | 2232 | ICT Trainers | ICT TRAINERS analyse and evaluate information-based system training needs and objectives, and develop, schedule and conduct ICT-based system training programs and courses. |
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Solutions Development | The analysis, design and development of solutions to support business needs and requirements | 261 | BUSINESS AND SYSTEMS ANALYSTS, AND PROGRAMMERS work with users to formulate system requirements, develop system plans and documentation, review and evaluate existing systems, and design and modify systems to meet users' business needs, create audiovisual applications, and develop, test and maintain code for computer applications and web sites.
Tasks Include:
- identifying, formulating and documenting user ICT requirements
- providing advice, guidance, expertise and assistance in the system project decision making process and in the development of system proposals and strategies
- identifying and evaluating inefficiencies, deficiencies and limitations in existing systems and associated processes, procedures and methods, and recommend ing optimal business practices, and system functionality and behaviour
- testing, debugging, diagnosing and correcting problems to ensure acceptable quality and integrity of the system, and that programs and applications perform to specification
- designing and developing digital animations, imaging, presentations, games, video clips, and Internet applications using multimedia software, tools and utilities, interactive graphics and programming language | Development and Programming | The creation, testing and documenting of new and amended programs and software from supplied specifications in accordance with agreed standards. | 2613 | Software and Applications Programmers | SOFTWARE AND APPLICATIONS PROGRAMMERS design, develop, test, maintain and document program code in accordance with user requirements, and system and technical specifications. |
Systems Analysis and Design | The analysis of the business project/program needs, incorporating the design of ICT systems that satisfy these needs. | 261112 | Systems Analyst | Evaluates processes and methods used in existing ICT systems, proposes modifications, additional system
components or new systems to meet user needs as expressed in specifications and other documentation. |
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Web and Multimedia Content Development | The authoring and publishing of information in various forms (text, video, graphical) via websites and intranets. | 313113 | Web Administrator | Designs, builds and maintains web sites, and provides web technology solutions and services. |
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Solutions Implementation | The coordination of the release of ICT solutions | 2632 | ICT SUPPORT AND TEST ENGINEERS develop procedures and strategies to support, create, maintain and manage technical quality assurance processes and guidelines and systems infrastructure, investigate, analyse and resolve system problems and performance issues, and test the behaviour, functionality and integrity of
systems. | Systems Integration and Deployment | The integration, release and deployment of components and/or subsystems and their interfaces in order to create operational services. | 3131 | ICT Support Technicians | ICT SUPPORT TECHNICIANS provide support for the deployment and maintenance of computer infrastructure and web technology and the diagnosis and resolution of technical problems. |
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| Testing | The testing of components and/or subsystems and their interfaces, in order to improve their quality. | 2632 | ICT Support & Test Engineers | ICT SUPPORT AND TEST ENGINEERS develop procedures and strategies to support, create, maintain and manage technical quality assurance processes and guidelines and systems infrastructure, investigate, analyse and resolve system problems and performance issues, and test the behaviour, functionality and integrity of systems. |
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From:
APS Job Family model, Australian Public Service Commission
