The content of the Australian Government Architecture (AGA) follows a specific structure and ruleset. Content within the AGA is separated into two categories, endorsed and unendorsed, with all content types based on a hierarchy of domains, capabilities, policies, standards and designs.
Content Types
Domains
Domains are a high-level grouping of similar standards, solutions, designs and capabilities within the architecture to facilitate classification and navigation of its content. In the context of the AGA, a domain represents the highest grouping level of functions.
Capabilities
Capabilities are a conceptual representation of the types of digital functions across government, for example Case Management or Identity Management.
Policies
In the context of the AGA, policies are a term used to define the requirements and constraints for digital initiatives and represents why an entity must do something. Policies within the architecture are not to be confused with whole-of government Policies, for example the whole-of-government Digital and ICT Reuse Policy, the Protective Security Policy Framework and the whole-of-government Digital and ICT Procurement Policy Framework, which are relevant to the AGA but considered external to its structure and content.
Standards
Standards offer the specifications or guidance to be applied to ensure digital initiatives are consistent and conform to policies. Standards represent a set way of what should be undertaken to meet the intent of policy. Standards are likely to be subject to a moderate frequency of change as newer approaches and thinking emerge across the digital landscape.
Designs
Designs represent the systems, solutions, blueprints or patterns that describe a defined approach of how digital investment can be structured, including how existing assets can be reused and applied, in order to meet the intent of a standard. Designs will be updated and iterated progressively, and will be likely be subject to a higher degree of change to support new thinking from the public and private sectors.
Content States
Endorsed Content
Emerging
A state within the AGA that indicates that the content type is in the early days of planning, design or establishment. The purpose of its inclusion is to provide visibility of future planning and to assist in the sequencing and alignment of proposed initiatives to future initiatives. For example, the DTA may publish emerging designs following the announcement of initiatives through the Federal Budget.
Core
A state within the AGA that indicates that the content is contemporary, mature and within its lifecycle for applicability to any new planning or proposed initiatives. This categorisation represents mature and established areas of the AGA that provide a level of certainty in their adoption or application.
Contain
A state within the AGA that indicates that the content is no longer likely to receive improvement or is planned for future retirement within a timeframe that would materially impact immediate planning inputs. This categorisation represents maturity in an area that is likely to see succession by more updated and contemporary approaches.
Retire
A state in the AGA that indicates that the content type is in a decommissioning lifecycle, either due to the end of its planned lifecycle or to more contemporary alternatives becoming available. This content is included for holistic visibility to ensure lessons learned are leveraged to inform future decisions until such a time that their inclusion is no longer warranted.
Unendorsed Content
All unendorsed content types (Domain, Capability, Policy, Standard, Design) are designated in the AGA with a suffix of (position) and must exist in one state (drafting or consulting) to provide clarity on the lifecycle and maturity of that content.
Unendorsed content refers to an indicative opinion of direction that constitutes best practice advice. Unendorsed content can be informed by the views of the DTA, the Secretaries’ Digital and Data Committee (SDDC), the Secretaries Board or other entities with authority commensurate to the content proposed. Stakeholders can use this content to understand the DTA’s view on specific areas of the AGA and their respective place within the whole-of-government digital ecosystem. Unendorsed content provides indicative directions but do not constitute government policy. This acts as a transparent indication of how the DTA may inform advice to government on the suitability of digital investments.
Drafting
A state within the AGA that indicates that the content has been released for early visibility and signalling of direction or intent, which will be subject to further consultation or processes for approval. This state signals future work and intent.
Consulting
A state within the AGA that indicates the DTA is undergoing consultation prior to seeking authority to include a content type as an endorsed item in the AGA. The level of authority for which a decision on elements of the AGA becomes endorsed is determined on the impact of the content proposed, and the feedback received during consultation.