There has been some progress across Australian governments in driving the increased use of digital tools and practices in infrastructure planning, delivery and operations. However, approaches are inconsistent and applied ad-hoc.
" Governments can drive digital by default outcomes by proactively working with industry to adopt tools and practices that will improve productivity. "
The current approach relies heavily on the low-risk deployment of technology in pilot form. Under this 'digital by pilot' approach, bespoke initiatives showcase productivity benefits, but the benefits are only partially realised.
There is an opportunity for governments to progress towards a digital by default approach. This should occur by developing policy, guidance and standards that drive consistency and support the training and development of all stakeholders involved in infrastructure. It should be extended to developing or creating in-house expertise and knowledge to support and ensure digital tools and practices are routinely adopted.94
Beyond clear policy, guidance and in-house skills development, governments can also make infrastructure more productive by specifying digital requirements, parameters and expectations for each contract and project. Governments can drive digital by default outcomes by proactively working with industry to adopt tools and practices that will improve productivity.
Australia has the potential to create a new era in infrastructure where projects are quicker to deliver and more cost-effective, assets are more fit-for-purpose and highly functional, and the sector's approach is exportable globally.