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Report outlines how government could accelerate digital transformation

15th April 2016

By: Mia Breytenbach

Creamer Media Deputy Editor: Features

  

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South Africa has significant potential to leapfrog several countries along the path to digital transformation, as it is not hampered by a legacy of large information technology (IT) wired networks, particularly infrastructure, stated software corporation CA Technologies global presales senior VP Trevor Bunker at the CA IT Management Web Symposium, held in Midrand, Gauteng, in February.

He suggested that government could also attract significant investment from multinational and international companies and the private sector to further its commitment to more power-based services.

Bunker, who participated in the government discussion track of the symposium to discuss digital transformation for government and related authorities, highlighted that governments were driven by cost pressures, the need to deliver faster, newer services and online experiences, which were paired with citizens’ increasing expectations for paperless systems.

Recommendations

He, therefore, suggested that these institutions consider the five recommendations made by financial services firm Deloitte’s ‘The journey to governments’ digital transformation’ report to pursue their drive towards such a transformation, to enhance value and streamline the processes, as well as to help accelerate South Africa’s eGovernment initiatives.

The report, published in October 2015, surveyed more than 1 200 government officials from more than 70 countries on digital transformation, interviewed another 140 government leaders and outside experts, as well as identified key trends and patterns affecting digital transformation.

The company’s recommendations include a clear strategy of the aim and achievements of the initiatives in going paperless, an understanding and awareness of citizen needs, or a user focus, the inspiration and driving of an enabling environment and culture to promote innovation and willingness to change, as well as the establishment of the required skills base, and a consistent internal process.

The recommendations followed from the challenges governments face in driving their digital transformation, which are highlighted in the report.

Bunker noted that, according to the report, up to 70% of the participating government agencies said that they were not equipped enough to venture down the digital transformation path, suggesting that the private sector was better equipped in terms of digital capabilities, infrastructure, investment, funding and skills.

“Barriers and challenges to digital transformation include too many competing priorities, insufficient funding, security concerns, a lack of an overall strategy and organisational agility, a lack of a collaborative culture, as well as insufficient technical skills,” he added, citing the report.

However, he contested this, believing South Africa and other government agencies to be well equipped. “Despite requiring an additional budget and skills improvement, we have the right environment and . . . support from our end-users . . . [for] . . . digital transformation,” he said.

Transformation

Bunker also cited the UK’s Transformation 25, a digital transformation initiative for the digitalisation of government services, averring that this initiative was a good example of a cultural and services mind shift from which South African agencies could draw.

The UK Government Digital Service division in January 2013 set a target of 400 working days within which to digitally transform 25 major public services, such as driver’s licence renewals, passport applications and land and title deed requests.

The UK government managed to transform 20 of the 25 core services during this period, Bunker said.

He concluded that this would also be an example of an opportunity for governments to leverage more modern delivery platforms, infrastructure and approaches to better deliver citizen value services.

Edited by Martin Zhuwakinyu
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

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