Interview: Brett Barningham, Civica

What is the major potential tech pain point that will face all organisations large and small in 2023?

The pandemic, supply chain, inflation and increasing security threats will all have profound implications for the IT industry and are likely to persist beyond 2023. It’s likely technology investment will be somewhat constrained in the short term, as the labour market remains tight, resulting in growing project backlogs.

My view is 2023 will be dominated by priority calls. Security, with its mix of tech, process and people, will be at the top of the list.

What’s on your tech wish list from governments, innovators and the wider industry in 2023?

I would love to see the greater use of data to drive decisions. Our communities would greatly benefit from technology that brings transparency and contextual reference, partially in large capital programs where historically there is limited community participation.

Which new technologies will reach critical mass and become dominant in 2023?

Technology can help meet rising expectations across social housing. In a recent Civica survey, as part of our latest Greener homes, Connected communities Changing Landscape report, leaders across housing agreed — with more than 90% stating that AI-assisted technologies, connected devices and machine learning would be more and more relevant in the future.

How is the current talent shortage impacting your industry and how will this be overcome in 2023?

The old expression “the grass is greener” has really played out in 2022, but my sense is there have been many experiences when the grass was not as good, which has slowed down staff movement. 2023 needs to be the year of the graduate program so we can all start growing our own talent!

Will I.T. continue to drive organisational efficiency in a hybrid work world and who should lead the charge (CEOs, CIOs, CTOs, etc)?

Great question. Efficient systems and processes without engaged employees doesn’t necessarily result in great outcomes. I think IT needs to work closely with business and people functions to find the right mix of technology. Leading the charge, the end customer could light the path.

How can the technology sector build resilience into supply chain management during times of global uncertainty?

Supply chains designed for resilience and agility can do more than just resist and recover. By using processes and modern supply chain technologies, they can forecast and anticipate future risks and opportunities, and respond quickly to them. The pandemic, natural disasters and now inflation have all forced organisations to adapt to growing demands and global uncertainty. Integrating digital transformation and Industry 4.0 technologies into supply chain operations is becoming a growing priority for global business leaders. Besides optimising supply chain planning, organisations need to understand and leverage data, diversify suppliers, as well as implement buffers. With a plan and agility, the technology sector is one of the best suited to being resilient.

Brett Barningham has over 15 years’ experience in the technology industry providing enterprise software, cloud solutions and managed services helping organisations improve their businesses. He brings a passion for achieving through people, with a strong focus on innovation, organisational values and the customer. He believes that innovative and intelligent technology can transform the way we do things.