Digital Transformation at Scale: Why the Strategy Is Delivery

Book: £14.99 (including free P&P within the UK)

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Companies that grew up on the web have changed our expectations of the services we rely on. We demand simplicity, speed and low cost. Organizations founded before the Internet aren’t keeping up – despite spending millions on IT, marketing and “innovation”.

This book is a guide to building a digital institution. It explains how a growing band of reformers in businesses and governments around the world have helped their organisations pivot to this new way of working, and what lessons others can learn from their experience.

It is based on the authors’ experience designing and helping to deliver the UK’s Government Digital Service (GDS). The GDS was a new institution made responsible for the digital transformation of government, designing public services for the Internet era. It snipped £4 billion off the government’s technology bill, opened up public sector contracts to thousands of new suppliers, and delivered online services so good that citizens chose to use them over the offline alternatives, without a big marketing campaign. Other countries and companies noticed, with the GDS model now being copied around the world.


Praise for Digital Transformation at Scale

“Now more than ever we need to take the chance to shape the digital world as it shapes us. All governments and large organisations must take part. The story in this powerful book is essential reading.”

Martha Lane Fox, Baroness Lane-Fox of Soho


“The transformation the authors led in the UK sparked change around the world, including in the Obama White House. Their approach broke open decades of dysfunction and made the public believe in government. That belief is foundational to our democracy.”

Jen Pahlka, Executive Director of Code for America


“Business transformation is hard. Government transformation is harder. But both must make the transition to the digital age if they are to thrive. This is THE invaluable guide to bringing legacy institutions into the twenty-first century.”

Tim O’Reilly, Founder and CEO, O’Reilly Media


“The Government Digital Service was one of the great unsung triumphs of the last Parliament. This book is indispensable for any leader looking to emulate that success.”

David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (2010–15)


“An important and timely book. Dealing with government online should be as easy as ordering from Amazon. The UK model – acting like a start-up rather than a traditional government agency – is one from which all big organisations should learn.”

Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister of Australia (2015–)

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