Investment in a New Zealand Government cloud capability
Below, our consultant has summarised a challenging engagement to explore the potential of cloud computing for the government.
Government spends $2b per annum on ICT. Cloud computing was seen as attractive because of the potential to reduce that cost, for government to get better value from its investment in ICT, and to act as a critical lever for innovative work practices.
Hunter Group was engaged to complete business cases for investment in cloud computing for government, and for the first implementation of an all-of-government cloud service – office productivity.
This was a complex and challenging engagement. It involved a mix of strategy, policy, sovereignty, service design, governance, operating model, financial and technology considerations. As cloud computing is a formative and rapidly evolving services model, there was little evidence-based information or reference points to guide the business case work.
The task involved extensive ministerial, agency and marketplace engagement.
The business cases were completed on time. Cabinet confirmed the findings, agreed the Cabinet Paper recommendations
and funding for the next phase. This involved a programme of work to design and implement an all-of-government cloud computing capability and in parallel, the implementation of a cloud-based office productivity solution.
The breadth and depth of experience of the Hunter Group consultants, their ability to quickly understand a complex subject area and work effectively with a wide group of stakeholders was key to delivering the business cases.