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Problem statement
Making change within bureaucratic systems such as government is very hard work. Partly, because there are many stakeholders whose buy-in is necessary to move forward. Without clear discussions of what successful change looks like and how it fits in with government objectives, it’s hard for those in government to feel confident about how adopting uncomfortable and new practices will serve existing needs.
While colleagues of ours have developed valuable resources intended to help those in government make informed choices about the web-based services that they deliver, it still is difficult for government decision makers seeking to better understand where digital transformation will lead them in the end. Digital transformation in government is new, and the majority of the documentation that we find focuses on offering concrete tips rather than what end goal one might expect to reach.
Problem statement from April 2016 (source)
There has been no meaningful way to share information between all of the different agencies and governments currently undertaking digital transformation work, despite that fact that numerous governments and governmental institutions across the country are currently engaged in attempts to shift towards digital.
There is also no singular definition of what “digital transformation” means for governments—what are the component parts, what are the goals, what is the best way to frame the work? While that might be a lot to ask of this project, it never hurts to aim high. Without defining what “digital transformation” means (at least to 18F), we can’t scope a project.
- What does it mean to be digital first in government?
- Is there one digital transformation process or many?
- What is the goal or end state for digital transformation? How do you know when you’re done?
- What are the biggest obstacles to this work? How can we help people get past those obstacles?
- Can we make a resource to help other agencies? What would be most valuable resource (guide, training, website)?
Every government or government agency attempting to become digital, or more digital (and more specifically, the staff members doing the actual groundwork within their agencies towards this goal).