Empowering the Public Sector with Open Innovation Skills

This technical report discusses the challenges and opportunities faced by public sector organizations in adopting innovative technologies, particularly in the context of digital services and citizen expectations. It outlines the necessity for a strategic approach to skills development and cultural change, emphasizing the importance of addressing technical debt, skill shortages, and fostering an innovation mindset. The report presents a three-pronged action plan aimed at nurturing skills and transforming mindsets within public sector organizations. This includes encouraging InnerSource practices to enhance collaboration, investing in platform engineering to optimize operational efficiency, and promoting behavioral change to attract and retain talent. The report highlights the significance of developing competencies in emerging technologies, such as AI and cloud operations, to meet the evolving demands of public service delivery. It also notes the current trends in government investments in digital skills and the imperative for continuous learning to adapt to rapid technological advancements.