Digital Innovation: Why the Public Sector Needs to Adapt

The use of digital technology in almost every aspect of a person’s life has led to new expectations in terms of service delivery and fulfillment of needs. Most people these days require that interactions with different sectors of the society are performed through digital devices. While private companies are easily able to cope with this demand, it may not always be true with the public sector.

Most people would agree that up to a certain extent, there is frustration felt when dealing with public services such as paying council taxes, parking permits, and the like. The public sector can’t seem to get with the trend and digitize these processes. Indeed, digital innovation offers a unique opportunity for the public sector to embrace technology for the good of their constituents.

What are some of the challenges faced by the public sector when trying to embark on digital innovation?

• Funding. The dilemma faced by the public sector is to do more with fewer resources. Funding will always be a primary challenge in investing in new, more efficient technology.
• System Issues. Most public-sector organizations operate on outdated systems. To change this, digital capabilities should also be included. How does one start to overhaul a completely outdated system? A systematic top-down approach will be helpful in this case. For example, the public sector can identify specific challenges and bottlenecks in the system by a process mapping approach. This approach will help the organization visualize how each procedure is executed and where certain changes can be made. By identifying the opportunities within each sector, it becomes easier to identify where digital innovation can provide the most impact and value.
• Shorter Time Frames. The public sector is also faced with the challenge of dealing with political cycles. Funding for projects is always tied with approval from politicians. This can lead to shorter time frames for implementation. However, this doesn’t mean that it’s impossible to navigate through this challenge.

There are many benefits to applying digital practices within the public sector. Yes, there is greater effort but the result certainly justifies the journey. Here are some of the advantages of digital innovation in the public sector:

• Better ability to meet the needs of constituents. This means higher satisfaction among members of the community.
• There is increased collaboration across departments.
• Faster and more strategic decision making.
• Increased productivity and efficiency within core areas.
• Reduced operational cost over time.
• Increased morale and confidence of constituents.
• Increased interest for a higher level of innovation within the public sector.

The public sector should not be left behind when it comes to innovation and technology. By overcoming challenges with funding and embracing cultural changes within the organization, the public sector should be ready and able to make short-term changes that will lay the groundwork for long-term digitalization.

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