Delivering a keynote for Agile India’s Digital Transformation day, I reprised my “Revolution NOT evolution: UK Government’s digital transformation journey” talk capturing my early reflections after leaving GDS.
Starting with a potted history of the UK Government Digital Service, I drew out a set of reflections:
- Starting with a website let us get close to lots of users, really quickly
- Digital is a chance to reclaim values and history
- The problem is rarely tech / The solution is never (just) tech
I particularly focused on the importance of groups of allies in driving transformation, calling out GDS’ predecessors and broad global network, but also stressing the importance of providing leadership to shape and direct what can otherwise be loose networks into powerful movements.
To wrap up I called out a few lessons that I’d be taking to any future transformation effort:
- Find allies inside and outside
- Establish cultural markers
- Understand purpose, values and principles
- Fix the basics
- Work together on things that matter
In the run-up to the conference the organisers published an interview with me. I’d prefer to be known as “a person” not “the person”!