ICT Two Pass Review
The Government introduced a two pass review process in 2008 to obtain better information to support its decisions on major investments in ICT-enabled proposals. The process will also better position agencies for the Budget and Gateway Review processes.
Proposals are subject to the ICT Two Pass Review process if they:
- are ICT-enabled. That is, the policy or service delivery outcomes are highly dependent on the underpinning ICT system
- have a total cost estimated to be $30 million or more, including ICT costs of at least $10 million, and
- involve high risk in terms of cost, technical complexity, workforce capacity or schedule.
The Government may also apply the process to other proposals where it considers the proposal would benefit from the review. The process does not apply to proposals from the Department of Defence, which has its own two pass review process.
Timing of ICT Two Pass
When |
What Happens |
|---|---|
From June each year: |
Finance discusses ICT investment intentions with agencies. Agencies commence development of their first pass business cases. |
From September: |
Finance reviews draft first pass business cases and provides feedback to agency. |
Between December and April: |
Government decides if the proposal will proceed to Budget deliberations. Agencies incorporate any feedback and submit final first pass business case. Government considers the first pass business cases and decides whether to:
|
On completion of a Second Pass Business Case |
Agencies develop their draft second pass business case. Finance reviews second pass business cases and provide feedback to agencies. Government considers the second pass business case and decides whether to:
|
Further information about Budget timings is available to government officials through your CFO unit.
Emerging ICT Investment Intentions
AGIMO holds discussions with portfolio agency CIOs and CFOs in May/June every year to advise of potential major ICT investment proposals.
Agencies must also advise AGIMO of significant ICT-enabled initiatives as soon as they are identified. Detailed information on the proposal is not required at this stage.
First Pass Business Cases
At first pass, agencies prepare an initial business case with one or more well considered options. Agencies must then seek in-principle agreement to the proposal from Government to develop one or more options for further consideration.
Agencies must comply with the First Pass Business Case Requirements and the ICT Business Case Guide when completing the First Pass Business Case Template and Costing Spreadsheet.
- First Pass Business Case Template - PDF Version [
12 KB]
First Pass Business Case Template - RTF Version [
45 KB] - First Pass Requirements - PDF Version [ 44 KB]
First Pass Requirements - RTF Version [ 1 MB] - ICT Business Case Guide - PDF Version [ 243 KB]
ICT Business Case Guide - RTF Version [ 2 MB] - Costing spreadsheet [
244 KB]
An objective of the first pass review is to minimise the use of agencies’ resources on developing a proposal prior to the Government’s initial consideration.
Second Pass Business Case
At second pass, agencies develop the business case for the second pass review by the Government. The second pass business case includes detailed cost assessments and risk mitigation strategies. The cost estimates are based on rigorous planning in terms of the scale and features of the ICT infrastructure applications and support required, including non-binding, tender-quality estimates from the private sector where appropriate.
Agencies must comply with the Second Pass Business Case Requirements and the ICT Business Case Guide when completing the Second Pass Business Case Template and Costing Spreadsheet.
- Second Pass Business Case Template - PDF Version [ 11 KB]
Second Pass Business Case Template - RTF Version [ 41 KB] - Second Pass Requirements - PDF Version [ 50 KB]
Second Pass Requirements - RTF Version [ 1 MB]
Frequently Asked Questions
The answers to the Frequently Asked Questions should be read in conjunction with the ICT Business Case Guide and associated Estimates Memoranda (EMs). EMs are available to government officials from CBMS or your CFO unit.
Contact details for ICT Two Pass enquiries:
For enquiries on the ICT Two Pass process, call (02) 6215 2454 or email ictinvestmentframe@finance.gov.au
To advise us of your ICT initiatives, call (02) 6215 1525 or email ictadvice@finance.gov.au
Contact for information on this page: ictinvestmentframe@finance.gov.au
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