Overview

The 2018 NSW State Infrastructure Strategy (SIS) proposed a series of recommendations to position NSW as an advanced user of smart Information and Communications Technology (ICT) to support state growth and digitally transform our approach to smart infrastructure.  

Data on infrastructure can support better decision making across the infrastructure lifecycle. Smart ICT, such as sensors, provide information on the performance of infrastructure systems. As smart ICT is deployed across the State’s infrastructure network, infrastructure-related data will become increasingly important in its own right. It will contain real-time performance information, including data on customer use. This rich information can be used to inform evidence-based, data-driven decisions, enhancing the efficient delivery, operation and maintenance of infrastructure for the people of NSW. 

The State Infrastructure Strategy identified the IDMF as a key initiative to support coordinated, shared and trusted infrastructure data to better plan and operate the State’s infrastructure systems. The Infrastructure Data Management Framework provides a framework for agency governance for the continuous collection, curation and sharing of infrastructure data, and provides guidance on consistent collection and central accessibility of information related to infrastructure risk and resilience. 

The IDMF provides guidance to NSW Government and agencies on the application of better practices on infrastructure data management. The IDMF is structured around the following topic areas (see Figure 1): 

The IDMF, as a key SIS initiative, comprises of: 

• a principles-based approach to support consistent implementation of infrastructure data improvements across the state 
• common policies, frameworks, standards and other guiding information as foundation elements 
• identification of information requirements, which outline generic infrastructure related information requirements at an organisational level, and how that cascades down in the various phases of the asset lifecycle 
• identification of information models in response to information requirements, which are supported by data management requirements at each phase of the asset lifecycle 
• additional guidance and training materials providing more information on specific topics and training. 

The NSW Information Management Framework (IMF) published in late 2018 outlines a shared direction for information management in the NSW Government. The IDMF extends the IMF to provide sufficiently detailed guidance to support the management of information and data relating to state infrastructure, which includes information and data related to assets such as utilities (e.g. energy and water), transport (e.g. land and water), communications, and the built environment. These elements work together to provide the data outcomes required from government owned and other state infrastructure.  

The primary audience is NSW Government agencies that own and manage infrastructure assets. Budget Material Agencies, State-Owned corporations, public financial corporations and local governments are encouraged to adopt relevant elements of the IDMF on new capital projects, including: 

• Land acquisition and management  
• Infrastructure 
• Equipment 
• Property developments 
• Operational, communications and internet of things technologies that form components of a capital project.  

The IDMF can also be applied to management of infrastructure data for existing assets. 

Local governments will also find the IDMF useful, taking into consideration that some of the specific policies and obligations in the IDMF may not apply at the local government level. However, the majority of the content should still be relevant and applicable for local governments implementing infrastructure data initiatives. 

The IDMF is one of a suite of NSW policies, frameworks, standards and guidelines that have been developed to inform agencies on NSW Government requirements on information and data. Figure 2 shows the related information and data documents that should be read in conjunction with the IDMF. 

The IDMF also refers to other NSW Government policies, frameworks and tools that provide context and information relevant to infrastructure data in NSW, including:

NSW strategies

• AI Strategy
• Beyond Digital Strategy
• Smart Places Strategy
• State Infrastructure Strategy 2018-2038.

NSW legislation

• Data Sharing (Government Sector) Act 2015
• Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009
• Health Records and Information Privacy Act 2002
• Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998
• State Records Act 1998.

NSW policies

• Asset Management Policy
• Cyber Security Policy
• Internet of Things Policy
• Smart Infrastructure Policy.

NSW government frameworks

• Common Planning Assumptions
• Design System
• ICT Assurance Framework
• Information Management Framework
• Intellectual Property Management Framework
• Transport for NSW Digital Engineering Framework.

National agreements

• Australian Building Information Modelling (BIM) Strategic Framework
• National Construction Code
• National Digital Engineering Policy Principles.

Other policies, strategies and frameworks that are not otherwise referenced may also be supported by the IDMF, for example in areas such as critical infrastructure protection, emergency management, climate change resilience, resource efficiency etc. 

Note that while the IDMF provides guidance on the collection, curation and sharing of data, these are areas also subject to mandated legislative requirements. For example, both the GIPA Act and the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 create obligations for public sector agencies in relation to information management. The Framework is not intended to override existing agency policies and standards where they exist. Instead, it provides guidance and supplementary information for the development of agency policies and standards as they are developed or reviewed. It is important for project managers to contact their internal subject matter experts and teams for guidance on agency specific policies and standards and how these relate to the requirements of this Framework. 

The development of the IDMF has also been informed by other frameworks, including from the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO), from public and academic agencies in the United Kingdom, by the Victorian Digital Asset Strategy, as well as by innovative work in the digital engineering field conducted at agency level by Transport for NSW and NSW Health.

The IDMF will continue to evolve concurrently with developments in other jurisdictions, and NSW will continue to work closely with our national and international counterparts to ensure alignment with best practice. This includes alignment with national and international standards.

Infrastructure data is rapidly evolving, and associated policies should be flexible and adaptable enough to accommodate changes. To ensure its usefulness, this Framework will be regularly updated as technologies change, opportunities and risks are better understood, associated and appropriate standards are developed, and as NSW Government’s infrastructure data maturity grows. IDMF related components will be available from the Data.NSW IDMF website. 

A working group/community of interest will be established to support users of the IDMF, and to manage changes in the framework over time, including development of new components. The IDMF will be formally reviewed on a regular basis.  

The IDMF has been developed by the NSW Data Analytics Centre as part of the Department of Customer Service (DCS) portfolio of State Infrastructure Strategy projects. Further information is available at Appendix A – IDMF Project Background.