The title may sound overly critical – it is nothing but. Many countries have succeeded in digital governance, but replicating their success isn’t straightforward because each country is different. After all, if it were easy, every country would be at the same level.
I’ve previously mentioned Iceland as one of the leaders in providing digital public solutions. Today, let’s explore how Iceland excels by taking inspiration from successful countries and improving upon their ideas.
Iceland (it seems) has mastered the art of harnessing the best of technological expertise while fostering collaboration with a diverse array of private sector innovators from several companies and/or countries.The synergy of this partnership is one of the reasons that allows Iceland to launch new digital projects with remarkable agility.
As Vésteinn Viðarsson, Digital Iceland’s Product Manager, puts it, “We have built our technology by researching what other countries have been doing well and succeeded in improving their services.”
It’s a strategy that involves drawing inspiration from the successes of others and then meticulously crafting their own cloud-based open-source technology.
Small but mighty
For those that don’t know, the country was recognised as 4th place in Europe for digital innovation in the European Commission’s eGovernment Benchmark 2022.
What’s impressive about Iceland is its ability to act quickly and efficiently.
Iceland might be small in terms of land and population, but it’s achieving big things in digital innovation. And yes, maybe its small size makes it nimble and helps it adapt fast. But that’s not always enough.
But it’s not just about resources; it’s about getting everyone on board.
Leaders, employees, and citizens in Iceland all believe in the digital transformation, and that’s a big reason for their success.
But here’s what truly impresses me about Iceland: their approach to digitalisation.
They didn’t dive into complex, time-consuming projects right away. Instead, they focused on quick wins, low-hanging fruit that built awareness and trust.
So, instead of just making rules and regulations about how government agencies should use technology, they took action!
They focused on easy, quick wins that would get people’s attention and build trust in digital services. They led by example instead of just talking.
And then there’s the branding and marketing aspect. When you think of government services in most countries, you probably think they’re slow and not that user friendly.
But Iceland wanted to change that image. They wanted to be seen as modern and efficient. Iceland reimagined public service as something fast and efficient, akin to a startup or tech company.
Building on existing solutions
A cornerstone of Iceland’s digital governance triumph lies in its astute approach to building upon existing solutions.
What’s particularly striking, from my perspective, is their pragmatic approach: they don’t reinvent the wheel… they refine it.
They’ve not only borrowed concepts that have thrived in other countries but have also tailored these concepts to fit seamlessly into their unique national context.
Iceland doesn’t see success as the final destination but as a springboard for further achievements.
This strategy expedites transformation, necessitating creative solutions to deliver optimal service with limited resources.
Another important step in building momentum in Iceland is shining a light on all the agencies (including private companies) that have done excellent work.
These companies can be both small and big, providing various services and technology.
Whether forging partnerships with cloud providers, adopting software solutions, or embracing industry standards, Iceland has left no stone unturned in its quest for excellence.
Iceland holds a yearly conference for the local community where they share success stories, products, and their strategy. This conference is crucial for growing their movement, and it is an approach I don’t see many countries practice.
To me, this approach embodies the very essence of effective digital governance—it’s about being open to learning, adapting, and innovating.
It highlights the vital need for a cross-pollination of ideas and the courage to venture into uncharted territory to enhance public services.
Final thoughts?
In the end, Iceland’s digital governance journey isn’t just a success story; it’s a call to action for other nations. It raises questions that demand our attention and opinion.
Firstly, can smaller countries lead the charge in digital innovation? Iceland’s example suggests they can. It showcases the incredible power of agility and adaptability, proving that size doesn’t necessarily limit ambition or achievement.
Secondly, what lessons can the rest of the world learn from Iceland’s playbook? The importance of leadership buy-in, citizen engagement, and a focus on user-friendly, proven solutions cannot be overstated.
Thirdly, Iceland’s emphasis on rebranding government services is particularly praiseworthy. It echoes a sentiment I’ve long held—that government should be as efficient and user-friendly as any modern tech company.
Iceland has demonstrated that genuine transformation requires more than just policy changes — it necessitates a cultural shift towards embracing technology as a powerful tool for progress.
