The Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) has published a Digital Assessment Framework for government departments to benchmark their management of digital technology and data.
It has also outlined four pillars of a reformed approach for digital transformation in government, including the development of a Digital Readiness Check and changes to funding.
Angus Montgomery, head of strategic products at CDDO, flagged up the assessment framework in a blogpost, saying it is aimed at helping departments comply with the Digital Functional Standard that was published in March of this year.
It has been developed in conjunction with departments and subject matter experts, and takes in a variety of practice areas, including security, efficiency, accessibility, sustainability and promoting agile working. Assessments provide criteria for obtaining ‘good’, ‘better’ and ‘best’ rankings for each.
While it is primarily intended as a self-assessment tool, CDDO will monitor some elements as part of the Government’s effort to meet mission six of its digital roadmap, which involves a commitment for all departments to meet the definition of ‘good’ for organisational structures and agile working. Progress will be monitored through the CDDO’s Digital Dashboard.
Pivotal step
“Publishing the Digital Assessment Framework marks a pivotal step in empowering each government department to elevate its digital capabilities,” Montogmery said. “Through diligent self-assessment and the structured guidance offered by this framework, we aim to collectively steer organisations toward a future where agility and efficiency in the digital sphere become the norm.”
In an additional post, he outlined four pillars of work planned by CDDO promote digital transformation in government.
They the development of a Digital Readiness Check, through which a policy can be checked against key principles and questions while it is under development to ensure it can be implemented digitally. This is part of a broader effort to build closer collaboration between policy makers and digital specialists.
Another pillar is to move away from a funding model for individual digital projects towards an emphasis on consistent products, services and user journeys. CDDO is working with HM Treasury on a new model to help teams deliver faster and more productively.
Agile and scaling up
The other pillars are to promote agile delivery, which includes the development of a target delivery structure, and to bring down prices and increase standardisation in scaling up the use of digital solutions. The latter involves working with the Crown Commercial Service on effective interventions.
“We know there's a growing interest in reform and making positive changes across government and we're enthusiastic about working together,” Montgomery said. “We’re seeking others to pool our expertise and perspectives to make government more efficient, transparent, and delivery focused.”
