The Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) has reported on in-depth discussions with digital professionals across the Australian Public Service (APS), finding out what helps and what slows the digital transformation process.
In a website blog, the Agency said many people in the APS were passionate about improving services, making people’s lives better, thinking and operating differently and putting people first, but even skilled digital professionals faced obstacles.
“We’ve been talking to them to understand what they need to make change happen,” the DTA said.
“Our in-depth interviews with people across Federal Government organisations have shed light on what helps and slows transformation.”
It said it found digital professionals were encouraged by getting to know the people with whom they worked.
“One of the things we learned about digital specialists was their approach to peer networking and collaboration,” the DTA said.
“They don’t stand for silos or barriers; they openly share and recycle for continuous improvement, and build on each other’s work.”
It said they also wanted to build understanding through a user-centred mindset and sought out stories and insights from colleagues across Government.
The DTA said, however, specialists struggled when they encountered cultural and systemic issues that seemed insurmountable, including the fear of failure and hierarchies that discouraged diverse thinking and group problem-solving.
“Many of those we spoke with felt they are tripping up on unhelpful terminology and management consultant speak, missing the practical opportunities in front of them,” the Agency said.
It said another problem was hard-t0-find specialists, whether data developers or designers.
“With all this in mind, we are working with the Australian Public Service Commission to lift capability in the Public Service and address some of the obstacles,” the DTA said.
It said a number of initiatives had emerged, including a digital leadership program for senior decision-makers, learning modules, mentoring and coaching for different skills and levels, an expanded program for people starting out, and events at which to learn and share.
It invited anyone interested in getting involved with its training, its free help or the communities it ran to contact it at [email protected].
