GPSJ Autumn 2024 ONLINE - Flipbook - Page 29
IT & IT SECURITY
the person who will be using the
software understands the ways in
which they can use it to do their job
more efficiently.
Adequate training and support
enhances a user’s satisfaction
of a system and its subsequent
adoption. The myriad functions
of the system, which may well go
unused by significant portions of the
workforce, are irrelevant.
This is defined as the digital
employee experience (DEX) which
is becoming more and more
important to technology-weary
workers. Research by Gartner
has revealed that by 2025, half of
IT organisations will have a DEX
strategy, compared to 20% of those
who were surveyed about their
intentions for 2023. There has never
been a better time to consider the
DEX in the public sector.
DEX and hybrid working
Frontline healthcare staff are of
course unable to work in a hybrid
pattern, but millions of public
sector employees are, and carry
out their roles in this way. Recent
research has shown that 44% of
workers in 11 countries preferred
the combination of home and office
working, hinting at the practice
continuing for the foreseeable
future.
However, hybrid working
can often be dominated by
digital interactions, and often,
distractions. People feel as though
they are forever cutting through
the undergrowth of complex
technological ecosystems to find
the information they need to help
them do their job. But before they
can reach it, another notification
from their email, instant messenger
or other collaborative tool pings and
they have to start the process all
over again.
This sense of information
overload can put a strain on
employee productivity, not to
mention wellbeing in the face of
such operational inefficiency. It is
something that the public sector
must tackle head on.
eliminating the root causes of
DEX strife which overwhelm their
workforce.
Simplification begins with a blank
sheet of paper. Drawing up an
adaptive IT infrastructure which
contains only the apps and tools
that an employee needs to carry out
their duties is the first step towards
a more engaged, productive and
unburdened employee base
Modernisation and investment in
the latest technology should not be
viewed as a panacea that cures all
ills. Instead, procurement that has
at its heart a positive impact on
productivity and wellbeing should
be the aim.
Position DEX at the centre of
public sector business operations in
a well-thought-through, exceptional
manner, and it will enhance
engagement and efficiency in the
hybrid era, resulting in more time
afforded for business critical, valueadded work.
Simplifying digital experiences
for public sector workers
Vital components for the
strongest DEX
By engaging with their employees,
public sector organisations can
understand and work towards
As well as delivering only the apps
and software people need to do
their specific jobs, the DEX should
GPSJ
also have a single sign-on (SSO)
interface so that there is no need
to continually sign in to different
apps once logged on. Granting
conditional access can also ensure
that files are secure and can only
be retrieved by those who need to
see them – which is of the utmost
importance in the public sector
Taking the time to understand the
interactions your employees make
and identifying the bottlenecks they
experience as they work will help
you make data-driven decisions
on your own DEX. This insight can
help enhance their productivity
and untangle the complex web of
work in 21st century public sector
services.
The key to unlocking productivity,
employee wellbeing and time
better spent at work is well within
your grasp. All you need to do is
take the final step and engage in
a simplification process that works
for everyone – so everyone can
work smarter with a time-saving,
stress-reducing DEX that has their
efficiency and wellbeing at its core.
GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC SECTOR JOURNAL AUTUMN 2024
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