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We’re changing the way we do service assessments to support coronavirus related services

A person writing a COVID-19 services peer review discussion report on a laptop computer, on the screen a headline reads: 1. Understand users and their needs (Point 1)

In recent weeks, we have seen a surge in government activity needing services to be launched at very short notice. So we created a condensed version of service assessments to make sure services are still secure, resilient and accessible, focusing on the riskiest factors to launch.

Measuring the value of service transformation

Posted by: , Posted on: - Categories: Metrics and measurement, Service transformation
A person pointing at a printed list of services designed as digital by default

For years, GDS has been measuring and showing what good service transformation looks like. In a recent piece of work, we collaborated with individual service teams in several government organisations to identify and document the value of their digital transformation work.

How to run a remote service assessment

A laptop screen showing a remote service assessment taking place via video conference software with various people dialled in looking at a shared presentation headlined ‘How we fit into the service line’

The Standards Assurance Service Team at the Government Digital Service has adapted to running service assessments remotely. Here is our advice on how to make sure the remote service assessment works well.

In case you missed it: What happened during Services Week 2020

A closeup of a smartphone display showing Services Week, 3–7 February

From 3–7 February, the second edition of Services Week took place across all levels of UK government. It included more than 85 events. This blog post recaps the week through a selection of social media posts.

Does technology outsourcing still have a role in the public sector?

Dr Peter Bishop standing on stage after a talk listening to a question of a member of the audience, holding a microphone

As part of a significant insourcing effort, Birmingham City Council transitioned 350 employees and brought £55m of technology spend under direct council management. In this blog post, the council’s Director for Digital & Customer Services, Dr Peter Bishop, reflects on the changing role of outsourcing.

Help shape Services Week 2020

Three posters announcing Services Week 2020. They say: 3 Feb to 7 Feb; the key to digital transformation is better services; and take part in Services Week 2020

Back in January this year, we ran the first-ever Services Week – a series of cross-government events that looked at how we can work together to deliver end-to-end, user-focused services. From 3 to 7 February 2020, we will run Services Week 2020 and we want you to be a part of it.

Service assessments improvements: Understanding the Standard

An assessor forum: Two people sitting at a table with two documents in front of them reading “Solve a whole problem for users” and “We think there are four interlinked parts to point 2. By the end of alpha, your team should be able to explain…”; another person is sitting opposite of them in a hot chair, responding to their questions

This second of 3 posts on improvements to service assessments focusses on what we’re doing to make sure assessors and service teams have a consistent understanding of updated Service Standard. It introduces assessor forums and the ‘Private Beta’ for the Standard.