In a recent analysis, Kevin Cunnington, the former chief of digital in the UK, outlined seven major obstacles that the civil service faces in utilizing technology. Cunnington compiled pain points and solutions from various leaders in the digital government space from around the word and identified three viable approaches to tackle each of these challenges. We’ve summarised this to help unlock the full potential of digital and data.
Finding 1: Producing effective digital strategies
Analysis
- In producing your strategy, focus on shared development and ownership
- Develop performance metrics with muscle
- Create a strong central unit – but use your powers carefully
Finding 2: Strengthening digital ID and data management
Analysis
- Focus on building a customer base, not delivering a policy
- Build trust by putting citizens in control of their data
- Create a ‘single source of truth’ for key datasets
Finding 3: Improving capital investment
Analysis
- Emphasise legacy systems’ vulnerability to cyber attacks and IT failures
- Help everyone onto your new platform – or risk wasting your investment
- Adjust financial and appraisal frameworks to suit digital technologies
Finding 4: Reforming finance and governance
Analysis
- Create a digital marketplace, building an SME supplier ecosystem
- Adapt funding and project approval systems to support Agile methodologies
- Innovate in commissioning, and commission for innovation
Finding 5: Managing the digital workforce
Analysis
- Develop cross-government workforce management and career pathways
- Put diversity and equality at the heart of your offer to digital professionals
- Establish a digital academy serving civil servants in every profession
Finding 6: Building the digital leadership cadre
Analysis
- Introduce pay flexibilities for senior digital leaders
- Create non-management career paths for technical professionals
- Establish secondment programmes with businesses – and governments?
Finding 7: Engaging departmental and elected leaders
Analysis
- Reform appointment and performance management systems to select and incentivise the right behaviours
- Ensure that organisational leaders benefit from digital training and coaching
- Appoint an influential minister for digital