Stage 4
Align your council's long-term goals with your IT strategy

The last step of your preparation

Why do I need to align my IT strategy?

Just as your digital transformation strategy should be linked to your council’s long-term goals, the IT strategy should be a supporting strategy that enables the overall digital transformation. This is necessary because there will be a significant amount of work to be carried out in the IT space and it needs structure and focus. Failure to align these strategies will cause unnecessary headaches, roadblocks, and delays throughout your implementation project.

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Deep dive into IBRS' research on the differences in strategies of deploying enterprise solutions to drive digital transformation in local government.

How do I align my IT strategy to support digital transformation goals?

Simply focus on delivering quantifiable and qualitative IT services that clearly align with your council’s digital transformation objectives and KPIs. Start by reviewing existing systems, platforms, networks and information management—such as spatial and reporting data—to see how they impact the overarching strategic direction.

Look for synergies that indicate you’re on the right track to improve the business value of IT. Are all investments and resourcing approaches contributing to a positive customer experience, improved operational efficiency and an optimised lifecycle of strategic assets? If not, make adjustments to ensure the IT strategy underpins broader transformative efforts.

How can I evaluate my current IT landscape?

It’s important to recognise that agile practices are the new normal. Traditional IT Service Management frameworks are becoming redundant, replaced by a more responsive IT landscape.

The future for councils is to optimise IT service delivery for different circumstances; you need to meet customer demand for better digital experiences, and meet council objectives to reduce costs, maintain stability and improve resilience and security.

Remember too, that your customers are heavily influenced by their experience of consumer technology. They want digital services that offer speed, immediate feedback, and 24/7 availability - these expectations should be front of mind for councils as they evaluate their current IT landscape.

What makes up an IT strategy?

An effective IT strategy is aligned to the council's vision and digital transformation strategy. Typically, that means it should: enable a modernised back-office, provide customers with a seamless digital experience, provide a strong foundation of data security and privacy, and assist Council to make highly-informed decisions.The IT strategy should also be flexible enough to continually adjust to changes in Council’s goals for digital transformation.

What should I measure?

Measure the business value of IT as a result of cost optimisation and improved service delivery to customers. An IT strategy aligned with strategic digital transformation objectives should also be measured on similar KPIs as executives report to Council and ratepayers.

Digital Transformation Hub

Select your current stage of digital transformation to access the resources you need to prepare, enact and realise your future goals.

Start your digital transformation

The journey to digital transformation involves careful planning and consideration. We've devised five key stages to get you started and on your way.

Clear vision and strategy

Not every digital transformation strategy is made equal. Its success hangs on having a clear vision and strategy, from the outset. The strategy needs to be linked to the overall Council vision, goals and long-term plan, which means having executive buy-in and sponsorship.

Make a business plan

Once you have outlined a clear vision and strategy for digital transformation, the next step is to build your business plan. A business plan is essentially your roadmap, outlining the steps needed to achieve your vision. You should approach it like an instruction manual, breaking your business plan into achievable and necessary steps.

Build a business case & gain executive sponsorship

You have the vision. You have the plan. Now you need to put it into action. Developing a business case that secures executive and organisational buy-in and approval can be the ‘make or break’ of your digital transformation.

Align with IT strategy

Tick: your business case is approved. Before you get started, the last step of your preparation stage is to ensure your digital transformation strategy is aligned with IT. Failure to align these strategies will cause unnecessary headaches, roadblocks and delays throughout your implementation project.

Make the move

With your strategies aligned, it’s now time to start executing your transformation. The first step is to clearly define your project timeline and the future state of your council on SaaS including key risks, mitigation strategies, roles and responsibilities. Defining this at the outset will enable you to maximise adoption and minimise disruption.

Want to learn more?

Explore our industry hub for more resources and advice on how SaaS can help drive your digital transformation.

Ready to learn more?

To take advantage of the opportunities SaaS ERP can offer your council, complete the form to speak to a SaaS transition expert.