Reframing the Role of Consultancies in Government: A Path to Digital Excellence

The problem statement

The public sector stands at a crossroads, where the continuous outflow of talent and the struggle to retain it poses a significant challenge. As Marianna Mazzucato's "The Big Con" compellingly outlines, governments have often shied away from risk due to fear of failure, which has led to a reduction in investment in their own capabilities. This hesitancy to invest has hindered the ability of public institutions to build and maintain the essential skills required for effective governance and service delivery. There’s an undeniable need to reimagine the consultancy's role in supporting government beyond just providing temporary solutions to one of empowering and building lasting institutional capacity.

The key opportunity

Amidst the critique lies an opportunity for transformation. Contrary to some perceptions, the public sector brims with innovative technological initiatives. If we do things differently we can create exciting opportunities for young people, energised by meaningful work, and turn the tide from brain drain to "brain gain". However, this change requires a thorough reassessment of the existing consultancy approach. There must be a deliberate effort to recalibrate the existing consultancy model — moving from a dependency-creating paradigm to one that builds internal capabilities and encourages a sense of ownership and pride among civil servants.

Our unified approach

In public service, the partnership between esynergy and Founders and Coders is potentially opening a new chapter in how technology solutions are delivered to the British Government. Our joint model sees Founders and Coders apprentices embedded into esynergy’s teams of highly experienced, government SMEs, together leaving a potential legacy of well-trained software personnel capable of maintaining systems delivered by external partners. These apprentices, employed by Founders and Coders will become embedded in the Civil Service and can transition to substantive Civil Service roles on completion of their apprenticeships. 

We are excited about this fresh approach and are committed to delivering technology solutions that are strong, forward-looking, and deeply connected to what the government aims to achieve. We’re committed to empowering public agencies by enhancing their teams with top talent and the latest technology, to really make a difference in public service.

Our shared vision of empowering public bodies through supporting and empowering their top-tier talent, and deploying cutting edge technology in ways that maximise the delivery of public value in its broadest sense. 

The essence of our approach is rooted in these key areas:

• Public value solutions: Our technology solutions are architected with the overall objective of driving public value and serving public interest, that’s not only in what we do but in the way we do it - by introducing new talent streams for public institutions.

• Capability building: Our model includes integrating young talent into teams to boost capacity and inject fresh perspectives. By growing the digital civil servants of the future inside our delivery teams we leave human capability as part of our legacy. 

• Rethinking tech's role: We're influencing how government perceives and utilises technology, making it a cornerstone of service delivery. This culture will be in the bones of the teams who start their careers in this model

• Trusted development culture: We establish trusted, secure spaces for development work, where a culture of longevity and quality thrives.

• Agility and recognition: Our approach champions agility to create a ripple effect of efficiency, celebrating achievements to inspire the sector.

By integrating these principles into our partnership, we are not just filling positions but are actively contributing to a more robust, skilled, and motivated public sector workforce. Our graduates become the standard-bearers of a new era in public service—one that values innovation, efficiency, and, most importantly, service to the community.

Our vision and ask of the government

In our pursuit to foster exemplary practices in government, we advocate for a model that ensures longevity and efficacy. Our collective vision invites the government to:

• Challenge the notion of using headcount as a surrogate for cost-effectiveness
• Elevate the standing of civil servants dedicated to digital delivery, celebrating their pivotal role
• Reassess the metrics of value, to cultivate commercial models that genuinely reflect the delivery of public value

We also implore a thoughtful consideration and validation of this framework. Are civil servants receptive to such a consultancy model that promotes support over substitution? Does this approach genuinely enrich the value they provide? By verifying these queries, we can affirm the integrity and efficacy of our proposed path.

Envisioning the Future

The ambition we share with the public sector is not merely to advise but to co-create a narrative where public service and digital innovation are inextricably linked. It is within this collaborative space that the government transforms from a mere client to an active participant in crafting value for society.

As we venture forth, let us not forget the power of storytelling and recognition. Highlighting the achievements of civil servants and their projects not only boosts morale but also serves as a beacon for others. Celebrating success within the public sector is essential in attracting and nurturing the next generation of talent, eager to contribute to a digitally progressive society.