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SINGAPORE – For decades, policymakers would decide what needed to be done before getting tech teams involved to build the systems to implement the policies. Now, the Singapore Government is changing its approach.<\/p>\n
Calling for a mindset shift across the public service, Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said on Nov 5 that policymakers and technologists need to work together much earlier and more closely.<\/p>\n
\u201cChanging established habits and ways of working will take time. But the direction is clear,\u201d he said, outlining the next phase of the Singapore Government\u2019s digital transformation. \u201cTechnology cannot be an afterthought in policymaking. It must be part of the process from the very beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n
PM Wong was speaking at the Government Technology Agency\u2019s (GovTech) 10th anniversary dinner held at the Marina Bay Sands Expo and Convention Centre.<\/p>\n
This transformation, in which GovTech will play a critical role, can also be taken further with artificial intelligence to empower officers across the public service to develop better solutions, said PM Wong. \u201cSometimes, the best solution is not more sophisticated technology, but a simpler policy,\u201d he said, adding that this mindset shift will deliver better outcomes for Singaporeans. \u201cInstead of saying: \u2018This is the policy \u2013 how do we get IT to implement it.\u2019 We should ask: \u2018This is what we are trying to achieve; how can we design policy and technology together to deliver it in the best possible way?\u2019 \u201d he added.<\/p>\n
He noted that the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority used to have 33 different combinations of penalties for late filings. Instead of building a tech system around this complex policy, the 33 combinations were reduced to four.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe result was a simpler policy, a simpler system and better outcomes,\u201d said PM Wong. So, policymakers \u2013 including Cabinet ministers \u2013 need to develop a better understanding of technology so that they can take it into consideration when designing policies.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is to develop the instincts to ask the right questions, appreciate the possibilities and constraints, and understand how technology can help shape better policy choices,\u201d said PM Wong. At the same time, GovTech officers need to actively participate to solve public policy problems, he added. This includes challenging established assumptions and questioning requirements that create unnecessary complexity.<\/p>\n
The next phase of Singapore\u2019s digital transformation also requires tech teams to work differently.<\/p>\n
Traditionally, many government information technology projects follow a waterfall approach, said PM Wong. This involves gathering the project requirements, seeking approval, procuring a vendor, building the entire system, launching it, and then maintaining it.<\/p>\n
While this works for infrastructure projects, applying this to software development will be hard because technology evolves quickly and users\u2019 needs change.<\/p>\n
GovTech\u2019s approach is different. Its officers build iteratively, by putting products in the hands of users early, learning from their feedback and improving continuously.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe need to make it easier for teams across government to work in this manner,\u201d said PM Wong. \u201cIt means changing not just our technology practices, but also the processes that govern how projects are delivered \u2013 how we scope projects, fund them, procure them, and hold teams accountable for outcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n
When systems are launched, they also need teams to continue improving them over time, keeping them secure and reliable, and making sure they continue to deliver value.<\/p>\n
And instead of having each government agency build their own systems from scratch, the Government should use more common platforms and components, such as those that GovTech has developed, said PM Wong.<\/p>\n