A shorter work week of 2 days as we’re already it half term.

Connection Conversations

A quiet week this week on connection conversations around work but did briefly chat with Dave Briggs about all things LocalGov Digital.

3 things this week

Content Service Thinking

I loved this weeks 10 Things from Lauren Pope. I enjoy it lots anyway but this edition was really pleasing as it shared so much thinking on Content As A Service – something I’ve thought about often over the last few years.

Lauren talks about Content Service Thinking in charities and nonprofits and there is certainly lots which will resonate and is relevant to local government as a specific sector.

Rather than me repeat what is better said elsewhere I recommend diving in to the 10 Things, and signing up for the mailing list if you’re not already on it.

The pig of legacy systems

I have been in the flow lots at work recently – not something I take for granted – working on strategy and the delivery guidance that comes from it.

There’s lots and lots of evidenced good practice out there to learn from and be inspired by, as well as work happening at my organisation to really understand user needs and establish user-centred design as a practice. The potential is tangible.

But (of course there is a but) legacy systems are where all this good thinking and work to meet user needs most often hits a wall. I have long used the phrase ‘lipstick on a pig’ to describe the act of improving the presentation of a thing, but still being left with an unweildy, unyeilding system often seeming to do things in the exact opposite way from what is needed to meet user needs.

There have been far better commentary and calls for action off the back of Horizon and other big IT scandals than I could manage here. I echo the need for change – at best big IT and legacy systems have bad user experience, at worst they contribute to dire real life consequences.

One smallish change that could happen quickly, and which is somewhat in the control of local teams, is to work with user-centred designers as contracts come up for renewal or you’re procuring something new. Bring them in as you’re gathering all your other requirements, and see the requirements around accessibility and user experience as equal to those for delivery and internal management.

Incremental change is better than no change at all.

There’s not always 3 things

While my head is awash with thoughts and ideas there isn’t always the energy to pick out 3 things in a week.

This week has been especially challenging on a personal front and so my third thing is reminding myself to rest, and that sometimes the right way to share thoughts is as important as the sharing itself.

Whether you are facing challenges or your seas are calm right now remember that rest is a vital part of being productive, and it’s something you should practice especially if slowing down feels uncomfortable.

Shall we connect?

I’m looking for conversations and opening my calendar for opportunities to connect across 2024.

My February is fairly packed with personal commitments alongside work so I’ve not got slots in Calendly open at the moment. Do drop me a message if you’d like to chat though and we can find something that works I’m sure!

If you’re a vendor please check out the latest news on my employer before grabbing a slot – these conversations are not an opportunity to try and sell to me. And if you do work at the same organisation as I do reach out on Teams so we can say hello!

You can also get in touch through the ways on my get in touch page so let’s see what we can arrange.