What is Digital transformation? It is the use of digital technologies to innovate and change how organizations create value and prepare for the future.
A recent report written by the University at Albany’s Center for Technology in Government offers advice and tools to state and local IT leaders for communicating with other government leaders about the public value of digital transformation in government. It states that the challenge ahead for government leaders is first to understand how digital transformation might create value and second, and more importantly, what it takes to successfully achieve the envisioned digital transformation.
Context is Key:
Government leaders, specifically elected officials and other policy makers, are uniquely positioned to ensure that investment in digital transformation, in both normal times and in times of crisis, is informed by an understanding of context. Those who understand the importance of context and who are prepared to adapt quickly to changing context can translate that preparation into value when undergoing these types of changes.
Leaders within the government/public sector should be looking to create value through digital transformation. Albany’s Center for Technology calls out four pillars for providing systematic approaches to building an understanding of context and using that understanding to inform decisions about digital transformation value are presented:
Digital transformation requires policy, management and technology innovation
Capability for innovation is a function of both internal and external context and is complementary and multidimensional
Understanding the characteristics of an envisioned digital transformation and of the characteristics of the transformation context are precursors to judgements about whether relevant capability exists
Creating public value through digital transformation requires leadership commitment to an iterative process of systematic analysis of context and context-specific decision making
Even though tech modernization is at the top of some government leaders’ minds, that doesn’t mean everyone will be on the same page about any particular project. The report shared that sometimes starting the conversation about a digital transformation project can be difficult. Thankfully it includes a tool that can break the ice — a table called “Seven Dimensions of the Digital Government Maturity Model Framework,” which breaks down all the pieces needed for optimal digital transformation.
Make Smart IT Decisions:
Information technology (IT) Investments are typically the most complex and expensive decisions government leaders will make, but they are also often coupled with pressure to provide quick solutions.
The report outlines a set of tools designed to assist government leaders to make more informed decisions about when and how to invest in IT by understanding the issues and opportunities and to build a business case for investing in a particular path. The tools in Making Smart IT Choices offer guidance in:
Thoroughly understanding the problem to be solved and its context
Identifying and testing possible solutions to the problem
Evaluating the results of those tests against the service and performance goals
How Extract Helps You Leverage Digital Transformation:
At Extract, we provide solutions and expertise for digital transformation to local, state, and federal governments. We have a large base of customers that we helped get records automatically indexed and/or redacted so they can be put online, allowing citizens to access their information, all without coming into their local government offices. Our solution also frees up employees’ time that may have otherwise been taken up by routine requests. If you’d like to learn more about our solutions or how a few clients have used their CARES Act funds to implement our solution, please reach out.
Source:
About the Author: Taylor Genter
Taylor is a Marketing Manager at Extract with experience in data analytics, graphic design, and both digital and social media marketing. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Marketing at the University of Wisconsin- Whitewater. Taylor enjoys analyzing people’s behaviors and attitudes to find out what motivates them, and then curating better ways to communicate with them.