Your persona
Assessing your existing capability in the area of technology is the ideal point to kick-start your professional development. You might be less familiar with this area, or perhaps it does not currently play a significant role in your work, but gaining confidence could support you in having more productive conversations within your team and beyond.
Build your skills and knowledge
Carve out time for professional development. Diarise a chunk of time each week where you can take an Apolitical course, explore community articles, or anything else that aligns with your motivations.
Investigate the tech that's underpinning your department's digital work. When you encounter unfamiliar tech terms, don't hesitate to ask colleagues or experts for clarification. Model a curious and open learning approach by making a habit of seeking explanations to deepen your understanding.
Deepen your knowledge of legacy systems. Explore the risks and challenges associated with legacy systems, such as security vulnerabilities, maintenance costs, and compatibility issues. Are there any legacy systems in use? What challenges do they pose? Where possible, discuss with others to expand your perspectives.
Research innovative government initiatives worldwide that have successfully addressed legacy systems.
Create a community of practice
Share this assessment with peers. Create a community of practice where you can discuss your outcomes and strategise which priorities might align with ongoing initiatives and objectives.
Promote a culture of collaborative learning: if becoming more familiar or comfortable with tech terms applies to your team or department as a whole, set up an initiative to compile a rolling list of terms, definitions, and examples of use.
Get some time with a colleague who can run through the 'need to knows' about the technology being used, then spend time researching these independently.
Why not explore the Apolitical Q&As — questions posed by members of the Apolitical community? Build your network by connecting with others who are starting their exploration into technology. What is govtech? could be a good place to start.
Keep exploring
If you’re looking for inspiration for structured skill development, take a look at our Learning Plans where we have stitched together disparate educational resources into rich, diverse, cohesive and enlightening learning journeys.
Apolitical members have submitted many articles covering aspects of tech and its impact on government. This article discusses legacy technology and the importance of maintenance: Creating a culture that celebrates maintenance.
What's next?
Not sure if this is the right persona for you? This diagnostic and its suggested outcome have been designed for illustrative purposes and may not reflect your level of awareness or competency.
Find a guide to the statements covered plus the scenario questions here: Technology Self-Assessment and Scenario Summaries.
Explore the other personae using the links below:
Leadership:Technology Explorer, Technology Consolidator, Technology Trailblazer
Non-Leadership:Technology Explorer, Technology Consolidator, Technology Trailblazer
⬅️ Government Skills Impact Tracker | Digital and Data Skills Hub ➡️