A digitally capable organisation should be one where services are centred around user needs, rather than those of the organisation, and where the staff have the skills to use digital tools effectively. Staff should understand the opportunities and risks of greater transparency, participate in social media, look to automate processes and put themselves in the role of customers or users when commissioning new services.
We must ensure that our organisation has the skills to deliver on this digital strategy. We will look at the digital skills due to be set out in the Civil Service Capability Plan and supplemented by Civil Service learning modules. We will develop a programme for all staff, both UK based and those appointed in the countries where we work, which will include self learning, mentoring and support, building on the pockets of experience and expertise that already exist, and bringing in external support where needed.
We will review any technical restrictions or barriers to use of digital tools, and ensure staff have the appropriate access.
Our senior leaders will also champion the use of digital in the workplace, undertake the necessary training to improve their digital skills and have expert help in place to support them.
We will ensure that these new digital approaches are also adopted within DFID to improve our internal processes and make them as effective and efficient as possible. Digital channels available to staff to support their work are explored in more detail in our Knowledge and Information Management strategy, which is due to be refreshed in parallel with the implementation of this digital strategy.
DFID has a board level Digital Champion, who will take overall responsibility for delivering this strategy. To support the digital champion, a digital operations unit will co-ordinate the activities of teams throughout the organisation, providing both a co-ordinating and a challenge function. The unit will also ensure DFID makes best use of expertise from outside, while developing the capacity and capabilities of its own staff.
Next section: Annex 1 Government digital strategy principles and actions
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Central government where possible must become a digital organisation. These days the best service organisations deliver online everything that can be delivered online.
Minister for the Cabinet Office Francis Maude
Civil Service Reform Plan June 2012
This cuts their costs dramatically and allows access to information and services at times and in ways that are convenient to the users rather than the providers