Stage 1
Setting a Clear Council Vision & Strategy

Aligning with the overall Council vision,
goals and long-term plan

Why do I need a clear vision and strategy?

All councils have likely embarked on their digital transformation in some way, to varying degrees of success. Despite this, there's still much confusion around what digital transformation is, and whether councils really need to invest in it.

At the core, digital transformation is about finding the best way to leverage technology to deliver operational efficiencies for your staff and superior services for your customers. Ultimately, it is an insurance policy against a council becoming digitally irrelevant.

In short, digital transformation is an imperative. Without it, councils risk becoming stagnant and unable to adapt to increasing customer demands.

Digital transformation will ensure that councils can continue to deliver critical services now and in the future, within the fiscal, technological and resourcing restrictions every council faces.

But 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.

Webinar: Your action plan to drive digital transformation

Watch our webinar to find out why customer success demands digital transformation at the back-end and what you can do to get started today.

Where do I start?

Successful digital transformation is about more than just the technology: it will transform your people, culture and services as well. But the key is to start with strong foundational technology that will allow you to adapt and evolve to customer needs.

For many councils, integrated Software as a Service (SaaS) ERP solutions are an attractive option for digital transformation — because it reduces the number of systems, simplifies the user interface and experience, removes all the different silos of data, and minimises complex integration.

By simplifying your digital core, your council will be more agile and able to take advantage of technological trends to deliver a better customer experience.

Why SaaS?

Software as a Service will enable your business transformation, by moving staff from administrative, back-office activities to become more customer centric. A fully integrated SaaS ERP solution lets council IT teams focus on the delivery of better services and outcomes, rather than trying to ensure the data from one system gets transferred to another.

This uniquely repositions staff as a conduit for bringing innovation into the council to solve problems and improve services.

SaaS also ensures higher levels of service. The availability of systems that underpin your digital transformation need to be highly available, reliable, safe and secure.

Hear directly from your peers on how they started their transformation journeys.
Manager of Business Information Solutions
Shellharbour City Council

Having a vision allowed us to optimise business processes with our customers’ needs at the forefront, all while ensuring the organisation is on the same path.

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.