Breitenstein sees new possibilities!
The coronavirus has hit the global community with an as yet immeasurable severity and its effects are multidimensional. Now, it is of the utmost importance that the community shows solidarity so that our healthcare system remains steadfast and that affected people can be helped. This is the priority in order to overcome one of the greatest challenges of modern society. However, we at Breitenstein Consulting also see opportunities in current developments! Working from home is a means of maintaining social distance, but it is also a tool for the future. Many people are discovering virtual discussion rooms, webinars and online portals for exchanging documents for the first time. Some industries now have more to adapt than others: the public sector in particular is currently going through a complete 180-degree turnaround – because it has to? Yes. And because it can!
Shortly before the start of the coronavirus crisis, we were working on our series of articles “The digital transformation of the public sector”, which focuses on an area that is now more in the spotlight than ever: the public sector. In cooperation with the Ludwig Maximilian University of Munich, two of our interdisciplinary teams analyzed the digital infrastructure of two of the largest municipalities in Bavaria.
The conclusion? Many public sector employees see the great potential of digitization, if at all, only through a gray veil. “Paper freedom,” a “loss of proximity to citizens” and “anonymity” are just a few simplified, sometimes negative impressions of digitization. Nevertheless, the framework for the step into the digital world is in place – it just needs to be properly supported!
Our analysis shows us that the mammoth project of digitization in the public sector can only be achieved through a participatory approach. Public sector employees should not react to digitization, but act – only in this way can holistic digitization work.
In order to shape an organic and fundamental digital transformation in a participatory way, we work on the following elements:
- Managers: What are our challenges? What is our influence?
- Stakeholder groups: What are the framework conditions, goals, fears, ideas, visions, challenges and expectations of the transformation?
- Digital readiness: Is there a willingness to change? What is missing?
- Workshop: What is our vision? Where do we want to go? – Using our proven moderation tools, we work with you in a workshop format to develop a common vision and a “roadmap”.
What are the results of such a process?
- The managers and heads of department have been aligned and have developed their transformation journey for their department.
- There is a jointly developed and shared vision for digitization for the municipality or for the department.
- All participants have understood the important levels of digital transformation, including processes, IT tools, roles, areas of responsibility, competencies, conflicts of interest, new forms of collaboration, and have jointly designed goals.
- Barriers along the way have been identified and are being taken seriously
- There are work packages to which everyone can contribute
- There is a positive vision and a ’storyline‘ that can be communicated to all stakeholders (employees, citizens, affiliated companies, sponsors, etc.)
In short: there is a plan and everyone is on board – for the step into the future!
Are you facing these or similar challenges? We can help you with them!
