Must-know ICT and government terminology

A procurement process where an agency approaches a limited number of suppliers, rather than the open market, to obtain goods or services. This approach is used when the agency has identified a specific supplier(s) that can provide the required goods or services due to their unique capabilities or expertise, and therefore, there is no need to conduct an open tender or seek quotes from multiple suppliers. Limited sourcing is generally subject to probity checks and transparency requirements.

A procurement method where an agency invites a select group of potential suppliers to submit a tender for a particular requirement. This approach is used when the agency believes that only a limited number of suppliers are capable of providing the required goods or services.

The level of government that is responsible for the administration and provision of services to local communities, such as cities, towns, and shires. Local government is established under state or territory legislation, and operates under the authority of elected councils, which are responsible for making decisions on behalf of their local communities. Local government councils are responsible for a range of services and functions, including waste management, town planning, road maintenance, public parks and recreation facilities, and local community services such as libraries and swimming pools.

The management and coordination of the flow of hardware, software, and other ICT-related resources from the point of origin to their final destination. This includes tasks such as transportation, warehousing, inventory management, and distribution. Effective logistics management is essential for ensuring that ICT resources are delivered on time and in the right quantities, minimising costs and maximising efficiency.

The structure or organisation of government, e.g. its arrangement into agencies with differing functions and dependencies. Machinery of Government changes occur when these arrangements are modified, such as a change to an agency's name or responsibilities, or a merger of multiple agencies into a single entity. 

The process of reorganising or restructuring government departments, agencies, or entities. This may involve creating new departments, merging existing ones, or transferring responsibilities and functions from one agency to another.

A large, powerful computer system designed to handle a high volume of data processing tasks and run multiple applications simultaneously, typically used by large organisations and government agencies to manage critical business operations such as financial transactions, inventory control, and customer data management. Mainframes have a reputation for reliability, security, and scalability, and are known for their ability to handle large workloads and run for extended periods without interruption. They often have specialised hardware and software components that enable them to perform complex tasks, such as virtualisation, partitioning, and redundancy, and require skilled professionals to manage and maintain them.

A Management Information System (MIS) is a computer-based system that provides managers with the tools to organise, evaluate, and efficiently manage large amounts of data in order to make effective decisions for their organisation. MIS can include tools such as data mining, dashboards, reporting, and business intelligence to help managers gain insights into their operations, finances, and performance metrics.

The creation, collection, and analysis of geospatial data and the visualisation of that data on a map. It involves using specialised software tools to display and analyse geographic information such as locations, boundaries, and physical features.

The provision of tools, software, and services for measuring and monitoring various aspects of a system, network, or application. This includes performance metrics such as uptime, response time, and data throughput, as well as measurements related to security, compliance, and user behavior. Examples of measurement services include network monitoring tools and performance analytics software.