And how to create the perfect playing field
There are great ideas for how technology can change the way government operates, but without appropriate consideration to adoption, a project can be destined to fail.
Any technology can be said to improve a government's operations and inefficiencies, but it doesn't matter how sophisticated the programming or equipment is if it is left underutilized. Just because you build it, doesn't mean anyone will actually use it.
One can demand through mandated policy that government employees get on board before the train leaves the station. But they may yet stand unmoved on the platform, or the train may just go at a very slow pace.
High-performance organizations in government are exceptionally aware of changes in their environment, and they're able to translate insight into action.
Most IT projects fail not because of the inherent technology, but because of people-related issues. This is true both in the private and public sectors. The barriers to success in government projects include some clearly defined hurdles:
Politics: A new system might look good on paper, but in practice it doesn't seem to work for the users.
Lack of value: This perception by employees and management can disable a project before it even begins.
Skills gap: It is the responsibility of those involved to ensure that everyone knows how to work within the new system and quickly determine skills gaps within an organization.
Organizational change: A well-established culture may not encourage change. As well, there may be challenges in sustaining the change as the system starts getting adopted and new work habits are put into place.
Project management: The strength of the team and leadership of a project will help ensure that the outcomes are met and that the people factor is addressed up front.
Despite these issues, if properly managed and promoted, IT undertakings can transform any organization - from the back-office of a government ministry to citizen delivery - into a high performer in government organizations. This is especially important considering the demands for accountability and service delivery that the public is placing on government agencies.
How can leadership ensure that a government IT project will perform and achieve the adoption level necessary to ensure its success? While each government organization has different goals for its specific program, there are also similar characteristics that can be developed to create a better chance of success.
Continued: Start with a clear understanding
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