{"id":5360,"date":"2025-01-27T12:14:20","date_gmt":"2025-01-27T12:14:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/digital\/?p=5360"},"modified":"2025-11-25T12:58:23","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T12:58:23","slug":"refreshing-scotlands-digital-strategy-process-blog-part-1-of-a-few","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.gov.scot\/digital\/2025\/01\/27\/refreshing-scotlands-digital-strategy-process-blog-part-1-of-a-few\/","title":{"rendered":"Refreshing Scotland’s Digital Strategy: Process blog part 1 (of a few)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Blog post by Becca Fairless, head of digital strategy and policy, Scottish Government.<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In 2021 we launched our Joint Digital Strategy for Scotland – <\/span>\u202fA Changing Nation – how Scotland will thrive in a digital world<\/span><\/a>. For the first time it brought together the work on digital transformation happening in local authorities with the work we\u2019re delivering in the Scottish Government.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In May 2024 we published a progress update:<\/span> Scotland\u2019s Digital Strategy \u2013 Progress report published<\/span><\/a> . And now it is time to refresh our strategic planning for 2025.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

My team and I have spent the last few months planning how we should deliver this refresh. One of the key things we\u2019re keen to do is make the process transparent, providing regular updates at key points. So this is the blog-along (welcome!). Watch out for guest posts from team local government too \u2013 this is a joint effort.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The theory<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A lot of ink has been spilled on defining \u2018strategy\u2019, and even more about what makes a strategy a good one. It’s a bit of a rabbit hole.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One thing that\u2019s uncontroversial; a strategy is more than a plan. We need a simple framing of a long-term objective or vision and a clear articulation of the overall approach. Only then can we start to build out the detailed plans and tactics needed to deliver digital outcomes for Scotland.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What\u2019s more, the best strategies enable ruthless prioritisation and are designed together with all the key parties involved in delivery. That way the things that the strategy aims to bring about are shared responsibilities of all parties.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

What does that mean for our refresh?<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019re starting with all that was great about the vision we set out in 2021, and working with our colleagues in local government to shape the refresh together.\u202f<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Strategies are also sensitive to the context in which they\u2019re written. A strategy written four years ago is designed to deliver outcomes into a set of likely possible futures as seen from 2021. But four years later, the likely set of possible futures has changed. So too must our strategy.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Our strategy needs to be updated to respond to its new context; to reflect emerging tech trends and be shaped to tackle the challenges we’re currently facing across the public sector with increased demand on services, higher user expectations of digital and increased pressure on public spending.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There were lessons to be learned from 2021 too. Looking at best practice internationally, it is clear there are improvements that we can make. We want to:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n