Celebrating the Latest Decade of Digital Government in Scotland | #10YearsBTSS
2024 marks a decade of our flagship event, Building the Smarter State (BTSS). As techUK's premier public services conference, BTSS has become the go-to gathering for public sector digital leaders. Each year, the event attracts around 200 senior leaders and decision-makers from the public sector and technology industry, highlighting how technology is revolutionising public services and paving the way for a smarter state.
In celebration of the 10th anniversary of Building the Smarter State, we have invited 10 tech industry leaders to reflect on a decade of public sector digital transformation. These thought-provoking pieces will be published weekly over the next 10 weeks leading up to the event.
Our third thought leadership article is from Paul Fagan, Head of Digital Programme, Directorate for Digital, The Scottish Government
10 years is a long time in terms of digital development and, as I reflect on techUK and Building the Smarter State, I can’t help but note how technology has changed the way we work, do business, entertain, shop and communicate with others. It has also changed the way we do government in a lot of respects, as we transform products and services to meet user expectations, whether this be individuals, partners or businesses.
For Scotland to thrive in the digital world, our approach embraces three key opportunities: designing and implementing technology in a secure, efficient and user-centred way, realising the potential of data to improve services, increase efficiency and deliver better outcomes, and transforming our culture and the way we work through digital thinking, with an emphasis on openness, networking and agility.
Within the Scottish Government, we have embraced the opportunity digital transformation has presented us as we work in new ways, personalise services, innovate and scale new projects and programmes rapidly. Digital has in many ways shaped how we progress our national outcomes, such as post-Covid economic recovery, climate change, equalities and social renewal.
Access lies at the heart of our approach to digital delivery, and we are clear that inclusion, privacy and security are paramount when it comes to engaging with digital public services.
Digital goes beyond the adoption of the latest products, platforms and services and into the adoption of digital thinking and how we lead organisations, how we work jointly with partners and other organisations to create a joined up, efficient and effective experience for any users of public services. We see the pace of change continuing unabated, so it’s important that we embrace these changes collectively and the opportunities they present both now and in the future.
In 2021, we published a Digital Strategy which detailed our approach and key principles for digital delivery, activity that continues through the delivery of our Digital Programme. We are focused on building a skilled workforce and a leadership which recognises how digital can deliver better outcomes for the people of Scotland. We have embraced a leadership style that champions innovation, change and empowerment, where our services are data-driven and influenced by the very users who access and use such services on a regular basis. ?We collaborate at a community, regional and national level across the public sector and technology makes this simpler than before, allowing us to reach new and broader audiences, to ensure the people of Scotland have their voices heard as we tailor services to better meet their needs. ?
The future
We are absolutely clear we will not succeed in our public sector reform ambitions if we do not embrace digital. Through the Digital Programme, we are supporting ourselves and the broader public sector to think about how we deliver quality digital public services which provide a predictable and seamless user experience. We will look at the design of such services, explore where commonality exists and explore the extent to which common operating platforms can be created and implemented. We are also building our capability and that of others through the development of products to support learning and development in digital skills to nurture and maintain a highly skilled workforce suited to delivering the array of benefits digital delivery provides. We are also mindful of emerging technologies, such as AI, which will support the automation of processes and data management and ensure that any such adoption is delivered in a secure and lawful way.
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Digital will continue to present exciting opportunities for the Scottish Government and broader public sector. We can only begin to realise their potential if we continue to embrace digital transformation, we focus on collaboration with a range of partners and build our capability and that of others to consider how we deliver digital public services that are consistent with the needs of our users.
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Celebrate 10 years of BTSS with us and gain insights from industry leaders on how technology is transforming public services and creating a smarter future.
Psst... Public sector delegates get their tickets for free!
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techUK is a membership organisation that brings together people, companies and organisations to realise the positive outcomes of what digital technology can achieve. We collaborate across business, government and stakeholders to fulfil the potential of technology to deliver a stronger society and a more sustainable future.
We’re pleased to represent 1000+ members, from household names to ones-to-watch. Our members include SMEs and multinationals, firms from every nation and region in the UK, and with a breadth of interests, from AI to Quantum, Health to Telecoms.