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Digital capabilityDe-bunking some myths

Sarah Prag2nd October 2014

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Myth #1

@sarahpragPic by @BenTerrett

You need an office that looks like this

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Not necessarily!

You do need to understand the principles and practices that help a team like GDS to succeed.

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Not necessarily!

You do need to understand the principles and practices that help a team like GDS to succeed.

- putting users and their needs first- multidisciplinary teams- agile & iterative ways of working

@sarahprag

Not necessarily!

You do need to understand the principles and practices that help a team like GDS to succeed

- putting users and their needs first- multidisciplinary teams- agile & iterative ways of working

Open spaces, post-it notes and white boards all help make this possible, but they don’t guarantee success.

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Myth #2

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You need to create lots of new roles and hire lots of new people

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Not necessarily!

You need to be clear about your objectives and then work out the best way to deliver them.

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Think about:

VisionStrategy

ObjectivesActivities

SkillsPeopleSupportRolesOrg design

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What activities will we be doing?What does good look like?What skills are therefore needed?

Who do we have already who could take this on? What support do they need?

What do we want to buy in from the market? Training, coaching, new staff, new services?

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Myth #3

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You have to tear everything up and start all over again

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Not necessarily!

You’re going to be- delivering and running services that meet the

needs of citizens and colleagues- understanding and managing risks- doing some planning - procuring services intelligently- saving money & doing things more efficiently

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You already have people in your organisation who can do these things.

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You already have people in your organisation who can do these things.

This is about introducing them to new techniques, and refocusing on citizen needs.

@sarahprag

You already have people in your organisation who can do these things.

This is about introducing them to new techniques, and refocusing on citizen needs.

It’s about giving them the tools and confidence to deliver better outcomes.

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Myth #4

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This is digital work, for a digital team

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No it’s not

It’s about the successful delivery and continuous improvement of public services, enabled by digital technology and ways of working.

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No it’s not

It’s about the successful delivery and continuous improvement of public services, enabled by digital technology and ways of working.

And that’s going to affect everyone in your organisation.

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So, you already have most of the capability you need?

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Potentially.

With a little help from some friends.

And some honesty, and some openness.

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Understand what good looks like

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Understand what good looks like

Really, deeply understand it.

@sarahprag

Understand what good looks like

Really, deeply understand it.

- Where are your exemplars and role models?- Who can you talk to who’s done it before?- How will you know it’s working?- What are the signs if it isn’t?- How do you stop yourselves slipping back into

old behaviours?

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It’s a marathon, not a sprint

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It’s a marathon, not a sprint

Initial exposure to new ways of working via courses or online materials is a good start.

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It’s a marathon, not a sprint

Initial exposure to new ways of working via courses or online materials is a good start.

But what about on-going support for staff?Where will this come from?

@sarahprag

It’s a marathon, not a sprint

Initial exposure to new ways of working via courses or online materials is a good start.

But what about on-going support for staff?Where will this come from?

How can this really bed in and become the new business as usual?

@sarahprag

Some people won’t come with you

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Some people won’t come with you

Not everyone in your organisation is going to come on the journey, no matter how much support they get.

@sarahprag

Some people won’t come with you

Not everyone in your organisation is going to come on the journey, no matter how much support they get.

New ways of working are about collaboration, conversation, feedback – these require cooperation and a positive attitude.

@sarahprag

Some people won’t come with you

Not everyone in your organisation is going to come on the journey, no matter how much support they get.

New ways of working are about collaboration, conversation, feedback – these require cooperation and a positive attitude.

You may need to make some tough decisions.

@sarahprag

Don’t be shy of asking for help

You won’t be able to do everything yourselves – particularly if it’s the first time you’ve tried it.

@sarahprag

Don’t be shy of asking for help

You won’t be able to do everything yourselves – particularly if it’s the first time you’ve tried it.

Be honest about the things you need help with, and be clear about your needs before you go to the market.

@sarahprag

Don’t be shy of asking for help

You won’t be able to do everything yourselves – particularly if it’s the first time you’ve tried it.

Be honest about the things you need help with, and be clear about your needs before you go to the market.

Look sideways. Help may be closer to hand than you think!

@sarahprag

Digital capabilityDe-bunking some myths

Sarah Prag2nd October 2014