What changes will the OGC demise bring?

10 May What changes will the OGC demise bring?

Posted at 00:00h in Government, ICT + DIGITAL STRATEGY, Local Government by Mark Nicholls

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After last year’s first step of moving the OGC, its pieces have now been split up and the OGC as an entity in its own right has now officially ended. This was confirmed in mid-April. What does this mean for everyone that uses the many methodologies produced by OGC (all trademarked to Office of Government Commerce), such as PRINCE2, MSP, Gateway, M_o_R and the increasing numbers of others.

Well to start with, what is clear is that everything that the old OGC used to do is being scrutinised. It seems unlikely that they would get rid of things that generate revenue, and in most cases, it would seem that the training and accreditation programs supporting the methodologies would generate significant royalty revenue at the very least. But just because they are revenue earning doesn’t mean they will be maintained. We see governments close down activities that earn money all the time if it doesn’t fit within their priorities.

So with formal confirmation of the OGC being split up less than one month old, it is probably too early to know exactly what the future will hold. However, so far, it seems the only thing that is under threat is the Gateway Hubs. This may have an impact on some government bodies in Australia, although in some cases, they themselves have started moving away from a strict interpretation of Gateway, and adding more pragmatism into their gating/governance frameworks. Of course we encourage this approach in all methods, and while strict methodology purists may frown upon it, some of us have the experience to go with the methods to know what actually works. As a result, the retirement of Gateway Hubs may not be a huge impact.

Also worth considering is that supplier risk is always a consideration in any procurement and in the adoption of any standards. When relying on another government department for supply, supplier risk is probably not considered so seriously by most, after all, aren’t all governments going to be around forever. Of course governments themselves are, but how long will they support a particular initiative, well that can be anyone’s guess.

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Mark Nicholls

Chief Executive at Information Professionals Group

With experience across almost every industry, Mark brings more than 30 years of accumulated knowledge to each and every project, leading technology transformation within organisations across Australia.Mark understands and has seen first-hand the challenges around technology that organisations face today. He is dedicated to helping IPG clients find a way through these, helping them to do what they need to do, within their capabilities to achieve whatever success might look like for them. A member of the Australian Information Industry Association Board, Mark is at the forefront of technology transformation. Known for his ability to engage people at every level, he is adept at honing in on client priorities and finding the right formula to help organisations grow their way.