Despite substantial investments and executive-level support, many digital transformation projects continue to face significant hurdles. Let’s look at the key strategies and practices for navigating these projects successfully in government health and human services agencies.
In today’s digitally driven world, public expectations are high regarding the efficiency, accessibility, and responsiveness of government services.
However, the public sector faces unique challenges due to the complex landscape of legacy technology and business processes that can often be siloed, complicating change efforts.
Despite significant investments and executive backing, studies indicate that 70% to 80% of digital transformation initiatives fail to meet their goals,1 highlighting the need for a holistic approach that considers the complexities inherent in government systems.
“With modern digital services now a fundamental part of everyday life, governments are embracing digital transformation to keep pace and meet the evolving expectations of their citizens.”
At the recent Public Sector Innovation Show in Ontario, Cúram brought together leaders of change in government health and human services for an in-depth, interactive discussion on avoiding common pitfalls and discovering practical strategies to ensure digital transformation initiatives succeed in the public sector.
Let’s take a look at some of the main takeaways, highlighting the drivers of digital transformation in the public sector and key strategies for successful and sustainable change.
Catalysts for digital transformation in the public sector:
Improving experiences and meeting changing needs: Governments are increasingly focused on enhancing citizen experiences, responding rapidly to evolving needs, and improving service delivery efficiency.
Modernizing systems and mitigating risk: The evolving technological landscape introduces new risks that challenge the security and integrity of government services. Policies like General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) drive modernization efforts, prompting updates to systems and compliance controls to ensure data security and operational efficiency.
Managing technical debt: Rising costs associated with outdated systems are forcing public sector organizations to prioritize digital transformation. Maintaining legacy systems often consumes a substantial portion of operational budgets, leaving less for new technology initiatives.
Five key success factors
Through careful planning and a commitment to cohesive execution, digital transformation initiatives in the public sector can set a strong foundation for modern, citizen-centric services that can adapt to changing needs and drive long-term value for society.
There are five critical areas that public sector organizations should focus on to ensure success:
Strategic preparedness and organizational maturity
Proactive assessment of legacy systems and technical debt
Change management for sustainable adoption
Building strong public-private partnerships
Cultural alignment and organizational cohesion
By prioritizing these areas, public sector organizations can lay the groundwork for successful transformations that not only modernize technology and improve operational efficiency but also drive long-term value for society. Aligning cross-agency efforts, fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation, and leveraging specialized external expertise are pivotal steps that can turn the inherent complexities of public sector digital transformation into opportunities for growth and improvement.
Ultimately, digital transformation for government is not merely about adopting new technologies—it’s about building a resilient, agile, and citizen-centric organization that can adapt to future challenges and deliver meaningful, lasting outcomes for the communities it serves.
