INDUSTRY WATCH
ONLY 49% OF CURRENT
GOVERNMENT IT
PROJECTS ARE
CONSIDERED TO FULLY
MEET EXPECTATIONS.
T
oday public sector entities
across the region are pursuing
aggressive Digital Transformation
agendas. One of the major drivers for this
transformation is citizens’ and residents’
expectations of service levels similar
to what they receive from companies
in the private sector. Speed, usability,
availability and reliability are key – as the
popularity of ride-hailing, banking and
food delivery apps, among many others,
continues to prove.
As well as keeping up with the
expectations of people who regularly
use online services, central government
departments also need to adhere to new
laws and policies, increase productivity
and improve efficiency – all the while
facing budget constraints.
The smarter use of technology and better
utilisation of data can make an even
greater difference, heralding full Digital
Transformation. The ability to identify
customers and tailor their experience
enables the capability to provide
individuals with targeted, optimised
offerings, just as private companies do.
There is no doubt that this innovation is
the way forward, however, there are some
challenges and barriers that still need to
be overcome.
Speaking to central government IT
leaders in a recent study, we found
www.intelligentcio.com
that only 49% of current government
IT projects are considered to fully
meet expectations. Budget constraints
and legacy infrastructure, unsurprisingly,
come out as the top barriers to
this change.
However, the research also found
that barriers to Digital Transformation
are a cause for concern. Almost three-
quarters of respondents were concerned
by a lack of collaboration between
departments, 71% cited a lack of
leadership and vision, and again 71%
said culture and a reluctance to change
hampered transformation.
Ensuring everyone is on board with
Digital Transformation projects is vital
in driving change within the public
sector; and unlike budgetary constraints
this is a challenge which can be
addressed immediately.
So how can government IT leaders do
this? There are some simple but vital
points to remember when trying to drive
digital change from within:
Do not focus on the technology
itself: When trying to implement new
technologies, do not lead with the
technology itself. Start with the desired
business outcomes and the benefits
that will result. It is very easy to get
lost in a generic, all-purpose Digital
INTELLIGENTCIO
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