Digital Strategy

Do - Implementation

As a result of the Digital Maturity Assessment Final Report published by the Digital Office and the Digital Transformation Staff Survey findings, the Council will deliver the following actions.

The actions set out are in full alignment with the National programme for Digital and are consistent with the Guiding Principles set out in the National Digital Strategy for Scotland and Audit Scotland Report 2021.

Digital Skills Corporate Workforce Planning

The Council will create a Digital Hub as part of a wider Organisational Development approach, with the authority, remit, time, and specialist skills required to drive effective change.
The Council will create a Digital and Data Skills Development Programme integrated into Service-Led workforce plans, supported and in collaboration with HR, People Development, and ICT.
A Highland Council Digital Champions Community Programme will be launched.
Staff will be supported and enabled through upskilling, training, and development opportunities.
Staff will have the right tools and technology, supported by clearly defined requirements and outcomes. Identified through working with services to look at the provision of different devices or new requirements, depending on the business need.
Members will be supported through digital training and equipped with the right tools and technology to operate efficiently.

Business Insight Information Management

The Council will implement an Information and Data Strategy.
The Council will implement a Business Intelligence Vision.
A sustainable approach to identifying clear ownership and stewardship of data in alignment with the recommendations within National Digital Strategy and Audit Scotland recommendations will be put in place.

User-focused Service Design

User-focused Service Plans will be driven forward with supporting Implementation plans.
Ownership and accountability for the implementation of digital projects are to sit with each of the Council's Services, aligned with this Strategy and supported as required by ICT Digital Services.

Resource Implementation

The Council will resource a dedicated team to run the Digital Hub.
Resource will come from ICT & Digital Services.
The Council will ensure this is resourced appropriately.
A structured and sustainable approach to engaging and working with strategic partners, led by the Digital Hub to support best practice, insight and access to technology and innovation opportunities
The vision for Business Intelligence is adopted by all Services supported by Corporate Performance, HR, ICT & Digital Teams, who will act as a facilitating resource, reporting progress directly into the Executive Leadership team, ensuring alignment with the Performance Plan (previously called the Corporate Plan).
Service Plans will be supported by a Digital Team who will provide guidance, best practice insight, framework and roadmap templates, engagement and communications support and facilitation of relationships with internal teams, suppliers, and strategic partners.
Resource pressures can make it difficult to give staff the time and space needed to explore new ways of doing things and test things out.

Innovation

"People need to be outward looking and be given the space and time to innovate."

Audit Scotland Digital Progress in Local Government 2021.

Measurement, Accountability and Governance

As set out previously, the delivery of the Digital Strategy will be achieved via the activities set out in the High-Level Implementation Plan.

These will be further supported, as required, by the development of detailed, operational delivery plans, with operational improvement activities growing and changing over time as digital becomes embedded in Service planning.

The High-Level Implementation Plan shows digital initiatives already in progress across several areas that will deliver real benefit to the citizens of Highland and our people.

Progress will be reported to the Corporate Resource Committee with oversight, governance and direction being provided through the Council's Corporate Change and Improvement Board.

"Governance with board structure and prioritisation of projects should be renewed in line with the refreshed digital strategy, workforce plans and council renewal plans."

The Digital Office, 2021

"The Digital Maturity Assessment findings also highlighted that focus is required on benefit realisation which would also support prioritisation. Benefit realisation must be outcome focused."

Findings from Digital Maturity Assessment 2022