Civica: Cracking the ‘Data Dilemma’ is the critical waypoint on Government’s digital journey #techUKDigitalPS

The UK Government’s recently unveiled Data Maturity Assessment is both timely and badly needed. Last month, outgoing Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance made plain the challenges around data exploitation across our public services, which are in turn blocking innovative approaches that could improve life for millions of ordinary citizens and communities across the country.  

From examining data literacy and leadership to analysing data quality, the Maturity Assessment will provide, for the first time, a clear, joined up picture of where strengths and weaknesses lie across the public sector. It is vital, however, that the Assessment exercise isn’t seen as an end in itself. On the contrary, it must be a catalyst for the acceleration of the digital transformation journey across Whitehall and the public sector at large.  

Cracking the data dilemma  

The landmark DDaT Roadmap pinpoints the roadblocks facing Government on its digital journey. Key among these is what I’d call the ‘Data Dilemma.’ From Whitehall to city hall, our public services are sitting on a rich seam of data which, if exploited effectively, could transform the citizen experience. As the Roadmap acknowledges however, this isn’t happening. Data quality across public bodies is inconsistent and frequently poor, and effective data sharing between departments is very limited. The consequences are well illustrated in the Roadmap, but in essence, it means poorer outcomes for citizens and communities.  

The Data Dilemma, though significant, is certainly surmountable. The key lies in what we at Civica refer to as the 3Ss – Standards, Skills & Sharing. 

Standards, Skills & Sharing 
 
Right now, data is collected and stored across government using a whole range of formats, with little consistency, making it much harder for officials to form a clear view of the needs of the population at scale, at the local level, or indeed even at the level of the individual citizen. By applying consistent standards and rules right across the civil service for the collection, storage and re-use of data, officials can make smarter decisions, with greater confidence in the outcomes they’re delivering. 

You don’t need to be a data scientist or an IT specialist to work with data. Far from it. Public servants do, however, need to be able to understand and exploit data in a way that’s relevant to their role. With the right skills, training and systems, people at all levels of public service delivery, including those in frontline roles, could make better use of data to guide smarter, more innovative decision-making, thereby ensuring the best outcomes for the people they serve. 

In a survey of more than 800 officials across Whitehall, we found that almost half (49%) of our respondents said that data sharing between their own department and others had remained ‘unchanged’ in the wake of the pandemic. Perhaps even more concerning is the fact that less than a third (28%) of our respondents were aware of data sharing within their departments. By sharing their data in a transparent and secure manner, public service providers can better understand the needs of each citizen they serve and offer solutions which are tailored to individual circumstances.  

The DDaT Roadmap gives us a pathway towards a truly digital future for public services and the citizens they serve. By cracking the data dilemma, we can bring that future one step closer. 

This article was written by Ian Holden, Managing Director (Central Government) at UK-headquartered, global GovTech provider Civica.  Connect with Ian on LinkedIn. 

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