Abstract:

Information Systems are key enablers in any organisation. Information systems governance is a component of corporate governance which aims to direct and control the organisation in order to achieve its mission. Public sector organisations are often criticised for not being as efficient or effective as private sector organisations. By introducing an information systems governance framework public sector organisations can maximise the return on investment and ensure that their technology enabled operations are efficient and effectively aligned with organisational strategy. Specific issues relevant to information systems governance within organisations include responsibility for decision making, strategy alignment, acquisition and development of technology resources, performance evaluation, conformance to legislative and organisational requirements, and human behaviour. Public sector organisations may improve their approach to the direction and control of information systems by adopting a principled approach to information systems governance. The Australian/New Zealand standard for ‘Corporate Governance of Information Technology’ (AS/NZS ISO/IEC 38500:2010) provides both private and public sector organisations with a principled framework for effective information systems governance. This paper focuses on this framework and discusses issues and challenges posed to information systems governance in public sector organisations.