Strengthen executive capability to govern AI and digital initiatives and guide strategic decision-making.
Organisations are navigating a fast-moving digital landscape where technologies such as AI are reshaping public services. The Executive Program for Digital and AI Project Governance supports senior leaders to confidently govern digital and AI-enabled programs and projects in line with the Victorian Government’s AI Mission Statement, which emphasises responsible adoption, ethical use, strong digital infrastructure, growing local innovation, and building workforce capability.
This sector-specific program reflects the State’s commitment to using AI safely and effectively across the public sector, strengthening community trust while enabling innovation and productivity. Through immersive governance simulations grounded in real Victorian government frameworks and AI considerations, participants build practical capability to make informed, ethical and future focused decisions.
Why the Executive Program for Digital and AI Project Governance
This two-day, simulation-based program is designed specifically for senior public purpose sector leaders responsible for overseeing digital, ICT, or technology‑enabled initiatives.
Participants engage in a series of realistic project governance board meetings built around a contemporary case study with embedded AI functionality. Throughout these simulations, participants explore strategic decision-making, interrogate complex project information, navigate risk and uncertainty, and practise the governance behaviours that drive successful outcomes.
The program is enriched with facilitated discussions of current and emerging digital and AI use cases, enabling participants to explore governance challenges and practical responses.
The program integrates real Victorian Government related reference materials to ensure participants are applying the frameworks and standards expected in digital and AI project governance.
- governance roles, responsibilities and accountabilities
- benefits management and the critical importance of robust business cases
- decision-making frameworks and evidence-based governance
- governing for technology and artificial intelligence
- recognising indicators of project failure
- managing variation, resetting programs and informed escalation
- readiness for service and benefits realisation
- lessons learned, including AI-related implementation insights.
Turn learning into action
You will gain a comprehensive overview of governing digital and AI-enabled projects and programs, and by the end of this program, participants will be able to:
- Apply effective governance principles to digital and AI-enabled projects and programs, understanding the distinct roles, responsibilities and accountabilities of a governance board.
- Interpret and challenge project documentation, including business cases, progress reports and risk assessments, to support evidence-based decision making.
- Identify early indicators of risk or program failure and make informed decisions about interventions, including resets, pausing or stopping programs.
- Assess the implications of AI functionality within digital projects and programs, including capability, risk, culture change, and governance considerations.
- Strengthen leadership behaviours that promote constructive governance, including strategic thinking, managing ambiguity, navigating conflict and ensuring benefits realisation.
Course audience
This course is designed for those who are: Directors, Executive Directors, CEOs, COOs, General Managers, Deputy Secretaries and Secretaries across the Victorian public purpose sector.
Facilitator
Deirdre Diamante
Managing Director, Assure Consulting