New IDC Report Examines Saudi Arabia's Digital Government Ambitions

While digital transformation presents tremendous opportunities to revolutionize public administration and service delivery, government leaders must understand the complexities involved if they are to avoid the pitfalls that await. That’s according to a new multi-client study published by global technology research and consulting firm International Data Corporation (IDC) that aims to guide the implementation of digital initiatives in alignment with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and National Transformation Program (NTP).

The study, 'A Digital Government Vision for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia', analyzes the progress and importance of digital government initiatives, both locally and globally, and assesses the potential impact of disruptive technologies such as robotics, artificial intelligence, blockchain, and the Internet of Things on achieving the goals of the NTP, providing guidance on the different elements of internal transformation that government organizations must undertake.

IDC believes that to realize the true benefits of digital transformation, and to minimize the associated risks, senior government executives should develop a comprehensive roadmap that seeks to drive transformation across five core areas: Leadership, Omni-Experience, Information, Operating Model, and WorkSource. The study explores each of these areas in detail, with Hamza Naqshbandi, country manager at IDC Saudi Arabia, placing particular importance on the need to develop a more inclusive organizational culture.

Image : Hamza Naqshbandi (Photo - AETOSWire)

"To build new capabilities, reconfigure service delivery value chains, and design financially sustainable programs, government leaders must embrace a combination of strong internal sponsorship and innovation from the inside out," says Naqshbandi. "Leaders must be catalysts for change, but all employees should be empowered to generate new ideas. Since government leaders want to extend the impact of digital transformation from public administration and services to the broader economy, they must engage with the broader ecosystem to configure new value chains."

Showcasing relevant use cases from mature markets such as the U.S., the U.K., and Singapore, as well as strategic insights from some of the Kingdom’s most senior ICT decision makers, the study explores the ways in which digitalization can enable the goals of the NTP, juxtaposing the current situation against the future possibilities.

'A Digital Government Vision for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia' can be downloaded at www.idcdigigovreport.com. You can learn more about IDC by visiting www.idc.com.