10 Hacks for Governments to Survive the Digital Revolution outlines strategies for governments to adapt to rapid technological change: 1) Define a clear mission and purpose that incorporates the strengths and realities of the organization. 2) Empower talented public servants who are eager to transform services. 3) Manage change by creating a culture open to complexity with no single roadmap. 4) Take a citizen-centric approach to understand real needs and co-create solutions. 5) Make data-driven decisions to improve policies, planning and customized services. 6) Adopt agile methodologies like shorter iterative projects with high user interaction.

1. 10Hacks for
Governments to Survive
the Digital Revolution
Miquel Estapé
Photo by Michael on Unsplash

2. We are living a digital revolution
It is generating dramatic changes and governments are facing the major risk of disruption in history. If the public sector
do no adapt, there is a significant risk that it may lose a lot of power and influence in society.

3. Eficaç
Mission-oriented
In a VUCA world defining a clear purpose is essential, taking into consideration the passion, strengths, capabilities, and
reality of your organization. To be credible, it must incorporate what makes your government authentic and unique.

4. Innovadora
Talented Public Servants
There is no transformation without the talent, passion, and leadership of the public employees. Civil servants who are
eager to transform and provide excellent public services. Public officials that understand that leading is to serve.

5. Manage the Change
Governments have no other option than to adapt to the new world. Managing the change is about creating the right
culture: that is very complex. There is no general roadmap: it is a craft work, and it is unique for each organization.

6. Fer la vida fàcil
Citizen-Centric Passion
To provide great public services, a citizen-centric approach is essential to understanding the real needs, expectations,
and capacities of the users. Governments have to learn about how to co-design and to co-create with them.

7. Data-Driven Decisions
Photo by Drew Graham on Unsplash
Governments require a data-driven strategy to measure the outcomes and public value of their policies, make smarter
decisions, improve planning, make predictions and develop customized and proactive services to citizens.

8. Be Agile and Lean
In a changing world, agility is key to the successful execution of a strategy. Governments should be “lean” and should
adopt agile methodologies: working on shorter projects, in an iterative process, with high interaction with users.

9. KISS UX
Photo by Hisu Lee on Unsplash
“Keep it simple, stupid” should be a mantra. User experience makes a big impact on the adoption rate of services and
user satisfaction. There should always be UX experts involved during the design and evolution of digital services.

10. Open to Innovation
Governments have to promote open innovation initiatives that arise brilliant ideas from citizens, companies, or public
employees. It requires a culture in favor of creativity, risk, motivation, empowerment, and trust.

11. Col·laboradora
Embrace Collaboration
The most critical challenges of governments cannot be solved by only one public authority. They should embrace
collaboration to face common purposes. This implies having the skills required by working on collaborative projects

12. Technology is a Means not an End
Photo by Tianyi Ma on Unsplash
Public officials have to decide first the social challenge and then the technology. Governments should focus on where
they make a meaningful impact on citizens, and that is not building the tech in-house. There are great SaaS solutions.

13. It is a Long-Term Project but it is Worthy
Photo by Casey Horner on Unsplash
Transforming government is a gigantic task. It will take a long time and energies and there are no shortcuts. But if we
have a clear road-map, we will make sure that every step forward, it gets us closer to our goal. It is really worthy.