Embedding the APS Values: Case studies and other supporting material

Please note: These documents are for reference purposes only and are no longer considered by the APS Commission to be current. They may contain good practice advice and/or advice on the transitional arrangements between the 1922 and 1999 Public Service Acts.

globe Useful references

Case study 27:
Australian Bureau of Statistics:
Information sharing

Background

The Australian Bureau of Statistics's (ABS's) working environment is underpinned by an organisation-wide information sharing culture characterised by openness, high levels of trust and a widespread preference for accessing information online. In particular, this has enabled the development of a mature and effective approach to facilitating workplace interactions, which allows management and staff to readily communicate, consult, provide input and cooperate on all matters that affect the employment relationship.

Description

In 1991, the ABS started an organisation-wide office computing project with the goal of creating an electronic working environment of the future. The main objective at the time was to provide a platform which would lift productivity. However, the project also encompassed many other elements of the contemporary electronic environment including:

document and content management
online access to information and services of all types
search tools
tools to enhance personal and workgroup effectiveness.

An unforeseen outcome of the chosen technology platform (Lotus Notes), but one which came to be recognised as offering a significant 'window of opportunity' to the ABS, was Notes' ability to improve information sharing across the organisation. During the early 1990s this was achieved by deploying online information repositories (databases) and developing supporting discussion forums. A significant factor leading to the rapid uptake and acceptance of these services was the decision taken by senior management in late 1993 to require repositories to be open to all staff, except where confidentiality was absolutely necessary. A direct consequence of this decision is that, for more than 10 years now, ABS management and staff have been able to communicate, consult, provide input and cooperate on all matters that affect their workplace and employment relationship.

Since 1993 hundreds of information databases and forums have been created to support the ABS's work. Some confine their context to the support of specific workgroups, others cut across the work of many areas, and others enable the ABS to either inform or consult staff. For example, in developing the forthcoming certified agreement, technology is being innovatively and effectively used to communicate to all staff advice of required events, advise arrangements for and encourage consultation, promote open discussion of proposals and ideas, invite questions, and provide answers to frequently asked questions and links to background information.

As management and staff understanding of the benefits of an information-sharing environment has matured, the ABS has continued to leverage its environment to improve information sharing. Promoting information-sharing behaviours is now an important component of the organisation's basic Introduction to the Desktop course. Technologies and practices continue to be developed to facilitate access to the range of enabling information and services that ABS staff require to work knowledgeably and effectively. These include an intranet, the development of targeted assistants (themed portals), and enhanced mechanisms for distributing corporate messages (including video to the desktop) through the development of a single broadcast point on the intranet (NewsPoint). NewsPoint also serves as a record of the ABS's communication with its staff as well as an effective index to corporate life.

The work environment foreseen in 1991 has evolved to the extent that the ABS can now be described as a knowledge-enabled environment. This description aptly links the internal workplace environment to the Bureau's external aim-to assist and encourage informed decision making.

Key APS Value

The APS establishes workplace relations that value communication, consultation, cooperation and input from employees on matters that affect their workplace. (s. 10(1)(i) of the PS Act)

For more information please contact:

DALE CHATWIN
PHONE 02 6252 6610
dale.chatwin@abs.gov.au