Lack of digital adoption is the greatest social challenge we face, claims new report ⁰

More than 50 percent of organisations claim existing processes are preventing digital adoption, claims a new report from Agilisys, a tech firm focussed on projects in the public sector.  The ‘State of the Digital Nation’ draws on findings from a survey of over 400 individuals from private and public sector organisations, who shared the progress they are making on their ‘digital transformation journeys’. The report, based on the key findings of a survey conducted by online publication Digital by Default News, considers the role of digital inclusion in the adoption of digital public services. The survey revealed that 40 percent of respondents had a clear digital vision and were already well on their way to realising the benefits. The majority (65 percent) of those surveyed considered digital one of their top organisational priorities.

Yet when asked what the biggest barriers were for shifting to digital service delivery, almost two thirds of respondents cited unwillingness by staff to adopt digital ways of working, suggesting that a desire to hold onto existing processes is prolonging large-scale transformation programmes.

Steven Beard, Chief Executive at Agilisys, said: “It is a known fact that organisations across both the public and private sector are undergoing phases of massive disruption. Organisations are under pressure to digitise their core services in order to manage demand and meet customer expectations. This usually starts with rethinking their existing processes and the experience they provide to customers, and ends with them completely redesigning core applications and underlying IT infrastructure.

Whilst the report highlights that letting go of traditional ways of working is difficult, it is an essential part of the digital transformation process. In our work with the public sector we see organisations striving to encourage their staff to work more collaboratively and move away from functional silos. The drastic departure from existing workflow systems and processes that organisations have been accustomed to for several decades has to be handled with sensitivity and consensus building if it is to be successful.”

Zena Cooke, Corporate Director of Resources from Tower Hamlets Council, commented: “It is evident from the report that the potential to be gained from digital transformation is great, but so too are the challenges for organisations. The survey findings highlight the increasing need to explore new ways of working if organisations are to maximise the potential to be gained from enabling technologies such as cloud, automation and digital customer service platforms. As we approach the next wave of digital transformation, this report is a timely reminder of the need for organisations to drive a digital agenda if they want to successfully embed new ways of working.”

The report is centred around three themes integral to the delivery of successful transformation; the drivers for change; digital access and literacy; digital skills and leadership. It also aims to help organisations assess where they are on their digital journey and sets out steps to embed a digital culture. Click here to download a copy of the report.