What networks and information sharing forums are there across the APS?

Can you help us identify what information sharing forums and inter-agency networks exist across the APS?

One of the first activities we have been undertaking as part of the new Centre for Excellence in Public Sector Design is to try and map out the innovation and design ecosystem within which the Centre lives. Part of that task includes identifying what channels there are for how information (including ideas) moves through and beyond the APS and where various capabilities lie.

We know there are lots of formal mechanisms (inter-departmental committees, reports, regular meetings, etc.) but we’re interested in getting a better picture of some of the less formal pathways as
well.

The following are some of the networks that we have identified that exist across the APS. If you know of any others, could you please let us know about them in the comments below?

(Also if you know of any good tools for mapping and describing the people and elements within networks/eco-systems, we would be much obliged if you could let us know about them too. We are on the hunt for a way to map out and share what we do find.)

Design, Innovation & Strategy Networks

    • Australasian Joint Agencies Scanning Network (AJASN) – a cross-agency horizon scanning network including some state/territory/local government agencies
      (and some from outside of Australia). Facilitated by Delaney Foresight
    • Commonwealth State and Territory Advisory Council on Innovation – a council of high level officials (which meets twice a year) from the Australian Government,  the State and Territory governments, and the New Zealand Government who advise and coordinate comment on their innovation policy, activities and programs. With a targeted and strategic approach to innovation issues, the Council aims to improve the effectiveness, integration and coordination of the national innovation system. Facilitated by the Department of Industry, Innovation, Science, Research and Tertiary Education
    • Strategic Policy Network (SPN) – comprising SES policy practitioners from across the APS. The network meets regularly to discuss strategic policy issues including better practice methodologies.
      The Strategic Policy Network is developing an online strategic policy resource that will provide APS staff with access to practical policy development tools. Facilitated by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
    • SPN+ – an open forum for all APS strategic policy practitioners, building on discussions held by the SPN. Facilitated by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

General Inter-agency Networks

    • APS 200 – senior leadership group made up of Secretary and Deputy Secretary level staff of Commonwealth departments and agencies. The APS200 champions critical projects across the service, focusing on complex challenges that span more than one specific portfolio. It identifies and discusses strategic priorities. Supported by the Department of the Prime Minister
      and Cabinet and the Australian Public Service Commission
    • Executive Level Leadership Network – provides an opportunity for EL employees from across the APS to come together to strengthen their leadership practice by hearing from a range
      of engaging speakers with diverse perspectives, sharing insights and experiences with colleagues, and building collaborative networks across agencies. Facilitated by the Australian Public Service Commission
    • SES Leader to Leader Series – The Leader to Leader series provides an opportunity for members of the SES to hear from Heads of Departments and Agencies on their leadership experiences and challenges in the context of public sector reforms. This event also provides senior APS leaders with a valuable opportunity to meet and network with their colleagues. Facilitated by the Australian Public Service Commission

Function/Issue Based Networks

    • Procurement Discussion Forum – provides procurement and contract management officials with the opportunity to discuss a wide range of issues and to hear from a range of experts on
      topics across the full procurement cycle. Facilitated by the Department of Finance and Deregulation
    • HR Leaders Forum – a vehicle for thought leadership in human resources. It provides an opportunity for HR leaders to discuss current and emerging issues, to share results and lessons from HR activities as well as to explore HR activities that are consistent with best practice. Facilitated by the Australian Public Service Commission
    • APS Policy Implementation Network – a network of SES expert implementers sharing advice on key implementation challenges for the APS. Facilitated by the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
    • Cross Agency Communication Forum – a network of people working in the communications space in the APS
    • APS Human Rights Network – people who are interested in how human rights relate to their work and is principally focused on the work of the APS. Currently the Network has over
      500 members. The Network is intended to provide a space to discuss human rights and how they relate to and inform the work of the APS in a friendly, informal and collaborative environment. Coordinated by the Australian Human Rights Commission

External Not-for-Profit Public Administration Networks

    • The Change Management Institute – The Change Management Institute (CMI) is an independent, international, not-for-profit organisation set up to promote and develop the practice of change management. It has an ACT Chapter

External Informal Networks

    • TEDxCanberra – now in its third year, TEDx­Can­berra is a vol­un­teer run, non­profit ideas event that brings the inter­na­tion­ally recog­nised TED brand to the National Cap­i­tal once a year in the Spring for an inde­pen­dently organ­ised TEDx event