24 November 2025

In partnership with the University of Queensland Business School, the DTA has released new guidance to help agencies strengthen governance and improve outcomes for digital projects.

The publication provides evidence-based advice for agencies on how to strengthen governance to support digital project success. It complements the DTA’s broader reform initiatives by offering actionable strategies and advice grounded in research and practical experience.

The guidance provides actionable advice to help staff involved in delivering digital projects, especially the Senior Responsible Officials (SROs) leading them, to establish governance arrangements that help keep projects on track to deliver expected benefits for the community.

Drawing on academic research and insights and experience from SROs, the guidance highlights that effective governance means navigating competing tensions.  

“There is no one-size-fits-all approach,” explains Jamie Whitcombe, Branch Manager for Portfolio Assurance at the DTA. “Every digital project brings its own set of challenges, and we know that effective governance is key to keeping them on track.”

The guidance includes:

  • Reflections on skills and behaviours that drive effective governance
  • Insights into evolving governance to meet the changing needs of projects over their lives, including allowing for regular review and reflection on governance board effectiveness
  • Strategies to address common challenges faced by digital project boards, such as cross-agency or complex stakeholder environments, agile literacy gaps, and an over-reliance on third parties
  • A self-assessment tool to help SROs and boards evaluate and strengthen governance practices

Digital Project Research Series

Digital Project Governance Boards - Steering for Success is the second instalment in the DTA’s Digital Project Research Series. In the series, we partner with academia and agencies to examine the most influential factors impacting digital project performance.

Our first instalment, Assessing Delivery Confidence of Digital Projects, underscored the importance of governance to ensuring delivery success. This latest guidance builds on this insight by equipping boards and SROs with practical tools to strengthen governance in their projects.  

“This latest instalment of our research series reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting the success of the Australian government’s digital projects by providing practical guidance that’s grounded in experience and tailored to the realities agencies and SROs face,” outlines Mr Whitcombe.

Up next

We are actively exploring ideas for future research priorities and welcome input from agencies. If there are aspects of your role or common delivery challenges that you consider could benefit from additional support and guidance, please contact the Leadership Programs and Integration team at lpi@dta.gov.au 

To access the research series instalments please visit digital project research series.

Enquiries on this work may be directed to the Leadership Programs and Integration team at lpi@dta.gov.au 

The Digital Transformation Agency is the Australian Government's adviser for the development, delivery, and monitoring of whole-of-government strategies, policies, and standards for digital and ICT investments, including ICT procurement. 

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