Digital Transformation in Government

DOI: https://doi.org/10.58248/PN743 

• Digital transformation is broadly defined as the use of digital technology at one or more of the following levels: changing processes and services from analogue to digital, rethinking the way a process or service is provided, or redesigning the way a business or organisation runs through the implementation of digital technology.  

• The 2025 State of Digital Government Review found that 25% of government services are “outdated” and 47% of services offered by central government are not digitised. 

• Government digital transformation has multiple potential benefits, including improved service efficiency, cost savings, and enhanced citizen engagement by streamlining processes and speeding up service delivery.  

• Challenges to digital transformation in government arise across a range of areas, including finance and funding, communication, skills, leadership, project and departmental structure, and cultural resistance.  

• Potential negative effects of government digital transformation include environmental harm, digital exclusion, health and social harms and decline in service resilience. 

• A checklist of questions to inform parliamentary scrutiny has been developed in collaboration with stakeholders.