1. EPAN – eGovernment WG Study on organisational changes, skills and the role of leadership required by eGovernment Christine Leitner (EIPA)
Luxembourg, 09 June 2005

2. Background EPAN eGovernment WG MTP 2004-2005 priority:
Organisational changes, skills and the role of leadership required for eGovernment to
“identify the acquisition of the different skills (not only technical skills)
which are needed by managers (and clerical staff) to govern and
manage change”.
“By the end of 2005 the eGovernment skills required will be appraised and recommendations will be agreed by the Member States.”
Organisational changes, skills and leadership

3. Objectives of the study
deals with aspects related to organisational changes, skills and the role of leadership required for effective use of ICT in public administrations
briefly describes the status in the Member States
identifies some learning points from case studies
suggests future action within EPAN/the group based on the findings
Organisational changes, skills and leadership

4. Methodology A mix of ‘top-down’ and ‘bottom up’ approach was chosen:
Survey among the EPAN eGovernment working group members
Selected case studies on good practice in the Member States
Desk research to describe the reference framework for the study and complement 1 and 2
Organisational changes, skills and leadership

5. Reference framework
Organisational changes, skills and leadership

6. Reference framework
Organisational changes, skills and leadership

7. Survey - Questions Six questions:
Q.1 : Who is responsible at the central level for strategic aspects related to skills, organisational changes and leadership development for eGovernment, and how is the coordination between the different actors involved?
Q.2: Do your action plans on eGovernment include measures on skills, organisational changes or leadership?
Q.3: Are there specific instruments to identify skill gaps?
Q.4: What programmes do exist?
Q.5: At university level are there post-graduate programmes, full-time/part-time (executive) programmes, other?
Q.6: What can be done in the framework of the European Public Administration network in this field?
Organisational changes, skills and leadership

8. Survey - Results - Q.2
Organisational changes, skills and leadership

9. Survey - Results - Q.3
Organisational changes, skills and leadership

10. Survey - Results - Q.4
Organisational changes, skills and leadership

11. Survey - Results - Q.5
Organisational changes, skills and leadership

12. Survey - Results
Most Member States attach great importance to the skills and competencies needed
Most Member States have included them in their strategies
Importance of leadership is highlighted
Organisational changes seem not to be the major issue
There is no common understanding of:
a typology of competencies and skills
a definition of roles and target groups
Emphasis on (basic) ICT skills
Organisational changes, skills and leadership

13. Case studies Case number Name Country Level and type 1
Electronic record management system
Austria
National 2
X-Road Project
Estonia 3
Heusdense Manier van Werken
The Netherlands
Local 4
Knowledge management in the Regionof Valencia
Spain
Regional 5
Virtual Customs Office
Sweden 6
Enrolment in higher education: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS)
The United Kingdom
National, agency
Organisational changes, skills and leadership

14. Case study analysis Reference scheme - findings
Functions
Components
Policy & planning
(political and top manangement level)
Implementation
(heads of unit and CIOs)
Operational
(regular civil servant level)
Strategic
Technological
Organisational
Administrative
Organisational changes, skills and leadership

15. Case study analysis - Results
Long term strategy, continuity and leadership at all levels is crucial
Recognise technology is just an enabler
A clear vision and a clear targets: communicate ‘results and not just wishes’ externally and internally
Do not underestimate resistance to change: early involvement of staff, continuous awareness actions are necessary, age is not the problem
A continuous learning effort is needed
Key users as internal coaches and for helpdesk
Organisational changes, skills and leadership

16. Conclusions from Survey and Case study analysis
There seems to be a need to
identify, define and classify the different skills and competencies required by eGovernment
assess the skills required for the different functions at all levels, identifying the different target groups
design tools for identification and measurement of the existing skill gaps
try to establish core contents for different training curricula
identify ways and instrument to overcome the existing skills gaps (not only though training actions), and evaluate their advantages and disadvantages
exchange information and interesting practices in innovative training methodologies, such as eLearning, blended learning, coaching, etc
share experience in this field
Organisational changes, skills and leadership

17. Key issue 1
Are radical changes in public administrations taking place and are they necessary?
Changes do not have to be radical, continuity is the key
There are (medium term) benefits for all
Design, communication of clear vision, objectives and strategy are of utmost importance
Involvement of all employees in change process is necessary
Resistance to change is not a matter of age
Organisational changes, skills and leadership

18. Key issue 2
What is the core of the new skills and competencies and how old are new skills?
Innovation capacities
Project management skills
Leadership skills
Contractual management
Technology management and process management
Basic and advanced ICT skills
Information and knowledge management
Communication and interpersonal skills
Web editing and writing skills
Flexible working methods
Networking capabilities
Human resource management skills
Organisational changes, skills and leadership

19. Key issue 3 What is the relevance/impact of leadership?
Strong leadership is the energy that enables change
Crucial at all levels, not just the hero leader
Leaders have to design long term strategies to ensure continuity
Communication strategies are important
Leaders have to update their knowledge and skills
Organisational changes, skills and leadership

20. Follow-up … Organisation of a Workshop NL-Maastricht / 24 June 2005
To look further into the skills required to make effective use of ICT in public administrations
To validate and explore further the findings of the study
Cooperation with HRM group and DSIPA on skills and leadership issues
Cooperation with IPSG in good practice exchange and knowledge transfer on change and knowledge management
Organisational changes, skills and leadership