The results of a recent Deloitte Digital global survey have been incorporated in a publication entitled "The Journey to Government's Digital Transformation". The publication is based on the results of a survey, undertaken by Deloitte, amongst 1,200 government officials from over 70 countries. Country-specific results for Malta provide insight as to how Malta compares to other countries in the space of Public Sector Digital Transformation.
The survey shows that Malta has a favourable level of relative maturity with only 8% of respondents indicating that Malta is still in an early stage of maturity compared to an overall survey average of 26%.
During a press conference held today at Deloitte offices in Mriehel, a presentation was made to introduce the survey and to highlight key findings relating to Malta. While presenting the report and Malta-specific findings, Raphael Aloisio, Deloitte Malta Financial Advisory Leader, said "We are pleased to be able to present the results of this initiative by Deloitte Digital (Global) where Malta has played an important part and where the results, obtained from a broad range of demographics, not only paint a clear picture regarding national digital strategies worldwide but also corroborate recent leading European surveys that place Malta at the forefront in terms of public sector digital strategy."
Godfrey Vella, Digital Malta Governing Board Chairman and Malta Digital Champion added "We are heartened by the fact that the results of the independent survey, undertaken by a highly respected international entity such as Deloitte, have validated our own perceptions of the achievements stemming from our Digital Malta Strategy whilst also highlighting areas which we acknowledge may require increased focus."
Also present was José Herrera - Parliamentary Secretary for Competitiveness and Economic Growth, who noted that "The results of the Deloitte survey are both positive and encouraging, as they clearly demonstrate that the sustained investment being made in digital technology is bearing fruit. The majority of local respondents believe that Malta has a clear and coherent digital strategy and that digital technology will afford us the opportunity to face up to the challenges that lie ahead. An effective digital strategy goes hand in hand with Government's initiatives to simplify public sector administrative processes, improve efficiency and reduce bureaucracy."
Following the presentation, Dr Herrera was given a tour of Deloitte Malta offices.
The key survey findings for Malta are summarised hereunder and have been incorporated in the full set of country-specific presentations, which may be accessed at http://www.deloitte.com/mt/dgt
Readiness and response
Whilst a majority of local respondents believe that digital technologies afford an opportunity to improve their organisation's ability to respond to threats and opportunities and that their development is ahead of the private sector, only 37% believe that the level of investment in this area has increased over the past year.
Malta Global
- Have a clear and coherent digital strategy? 56% 51%
- Digital improving organisation's ability to respond to threats? 75% 71%
- Digital capabilities are behind the private sector? 41% 69%
- View digital technologies as an opportunity? 86% 82%
- Investment in digital initiatives increased in last fiscal year? 37% 44%
- Confident in organisation's readiness to respond to digital trends? 62% 36%
- Satisfied with their organisation's reaction to digital trends? 44% 37%
Leadership, workforce and skills
Notwithstanding that the majority of respondents believe that their respective leadership understands digital trends and technologies and has the necessary skills to lead their strategy, many feel that employees do not have sufficient skills to execute the strategy and that more opportunities and resources are required.
Malta Global
- Workforce and skills a challenge to transition to digital? 88% 90%
- Leadership understands digital trends and technologies? 83% 60%
- Leaders have sufficient skills to lead digital strategy? 61% 42%
- Employees have sufficient skills to execute digital strategy? 39% 34%
- Organisation provides opportunities and resources to obtain right skills? 46% 35%
Customer / Citizen focus
The vast majority of respondents believe that improved customer experience is a primary driver for digital transformation and that improved digital technologies lend themselves to improved customer service and experience.
Malta Global
- Digital technologies enable employees to work better with customers? 94% 90%
- Improved customer experience is a primary objective of digital strategy? 91% 89%
- Are digital trends positively impacting customer service quality? 93% 84%
Culture and collaboration
Although digital transformation demands a significant change in culture, if successfully implemented it enables employees to work better together.
Malta Global
- Culture a challenge to manage transition to digital? 79% 85%
- Digital technologies enable employees to work better with other employees? 71% 72%
Procurement
Current Public Sector procurement practices as well as the perception of the quality of the general vendor community pose a challenge to the digital transformation process.
Malta Global
- Procurement a challenge to manage transition to digital? 75% 78%
- Government procurement needs to change to accommodate digital transformation? 78% 76%
- Satisfied with community of vendors that serve digital government workplace? 39% 27%
A copy of the full report "The Journey to Government's Digital Transformation" may be accessed at http://www.deloitte.com/mt/dgt