Singapore as a digital leader
We came across a great article earlier this year by , titled Singapore made innovation go viral in its public (note, you’ll need to sign-up to see this article). It explores digital transformation in government from a different perspective — in addition to looking at some of Singapore’s digital achievements it explores an innovation mindset, focusing on how Singapore has created an innovation culture and a new innovation framework.
The innovation framework
Singapore’s innovation framework focuses on three directives:
Understand stakeholders’ context and needs
Experiment with diverse ideas
Implement ideas and evaluate impact
The stages include specific actions around analysing patterns, setting goals, keeping on top of future trends, conducting research, shaping ideas, creating low-resolution prototypes and evaluating them, before creating high-resolution prototypes.
Innovation culture
Singapore uses three main tools to help create an innovation culture and reward best practice.
1. Innovation training
Singapore actually trains its officers on innovation, teaching them how to be innovative. It also holds ‘makeathons’, where public servants collaborate with citizens to come up with solutions.
One of the ideas that came out of a makeathon is a government marketplace, so one employee’s skills can be ‘rented out’ to another department.
2. Public Sector Transformation Awards
The Public Sector Transformation Awards is an annual event that recognises and celebrates public sector innovation. This helps to maintain a thriving innovation culture.
3. Coaching
Officers are coached throughout innovation projects, to help ensure success and innovation.
Innovation at work
There are many examples of Singapore’s digital innovation at work. Notwithstanding citizens’ rights to privacy, the digital transformation initiatives below showcase Singapore’s digital achievements:
Citizen-centric apps, like the Moments of Life family that lets parents register a child’s birth, register for the baby bonus, view immunisation records and search and register for pre-schools
SingPass and SingPass Mobile (one sign-in for government services) with an expanded national digital identity coming in 2020 that will include facial
A nationwide sensor for IoT (examples in the works include smart water meters, drowning detectors at pools and environmental sensors)
These digital transformation projects and initiatives are all made possible by Singapore’s innovation culture, and how it’s embedded across government.
Salsa Digital’s take
Singapore’s track record in digital transformation in government is strong and it was fascinating to find out about some of the internal workings behind the program. In terms of internal culture you may also be interested in reading our blog on growth mindset and digital transformation. And if you’re interested in Singapore’s future plans, check out our blog on Singapore’s Digital Blueprint.