Local authorities (LAs) are currently facing a variety of challenges in managing and optimising their Information Technology (IT) services. They face budgetary constraints, legislative complexities, the need for security governance and the ever-increasing cost of services. They’re looking to achieve efficiencies wherever possible. LAs may want to feel closer to what’s going on with a desire to have more control. This blog will look into how local authorities can reclaim their IT by transitioning in-house and navigating the challenges they may face along the way.
One challenge with a hybrid or fully managed IT service is a disconnect between the service local authorities receive and the cost implications. There is also a question of the responsibilities and accountabilities for those services. LAs perceive going back to in-house resources as a great way to address those issues. There’s a cost-benefit to bringing IT in-house for local authorities. However, by doing so, they cannot take advantage of hybrid and managed services efficiencies. Specific areas of expertise may cost more in the long run if additional resources are required to deliver the services or capabilities they cannot achieve in-house.
Bridging the Gap: Aligning IT Strategy and Local Authority Goals
One of the main hurdles faced by LAs is the relationship between their business strategy and their IT strategy. The two aren’t frequently aligned. Bringing IT in-house is an effort to marry them. However, this is not a minor hurdle to overcome; the service transition is tumultuous and needs to be carefully considered.
When transitioning IT in-house, it’s important to establish what an LA is trying to achieve. What is the driver? Is it to reduce costs? Regain a sense of control? There is a golden thread between the business objectives, strategy, roadmap and the services provided. There should be a clear end goal with a picture of what success looks like.
A strategic technology roadmap is key in identifying areas of opportunity for efficiency, improvement in services, reduction in costs and facilitating a smooth transition towards the preferred end state. Taking a good, measured look at the services LAs deliver, where there may be technical debt and the technical lifecycle of their infrastructure and highlight any unpleasant surprises before they arise.
Local authorities can enable a smooth transition by taking a more distanced look at the organisation. This can be achieved by taking on consultancy services to assess their IT landscape and strategy, help with marrying up the business objectives to the strategy and deliver a clear roadmap which covers organisation strategy, technical service delivery and lifecycle road mapping. Having a consultancy service who knows the journey and can take them down that path impacts their success.
Identifying what services need to be transitioned and at what time is key. In many cases, it’s more efficient and cost effective to take a hybrid model to begin with and take a staged migration approach. There will be specific areas where fewer organisations have those skills in-house. Few LAs can afford full time specialists engaged in delivering business change, transition and routine change to those systems. This is where they can achieve efficiencies, budgetary and responsiveness by hybridising those roles to a partner.
A full-time architecture practice can be expensive for a local authority, in which case, it’s worth trying to outsource that experience and capability so LAs can have engagement, business relationships and stakeholder management from people who have the experience. Often local authorities aren’t informed of their options in this area. By talking to a service provider, like Cantium, there is a middle ground. There are options for LAs to achieve their goals in a more cost-effective manner.
In conclusion, for local authorities seeking to reclaim control over their IT services, partnering with a service provider like Cantium can be a game changer. By leveraging Cantium’s expertise, LAs can navigate the complexities of transitioning in-house while minimising risks and costs. A hybrid approach allows for the retention of essential services while outsourcing specialised capabilities, ensuring a balanced and efficient strategy. With a tailored strategic roadmap from a knowledgeable provider, local authorities can align their IT services with their business objectives, optimise service delivery and ultimately enhance their operational effectiveness in a cost-efficient manner.