A MODERN PUBLIC SERVICE
Vancouver
The context in which we work is changing more rapidly than ever. Citizens look to government to solve increasingly complex problems – problems that reach beyond the boundaries of our province and beyond the responsibility of any one government ministry’s mandate. In addition, we face the rapidly shifting impact of technology, greater expectations of transparency and citizen input, and the need to maintain and improve existing services and programs.
Harnessing the potential of emerging technologies and the wealth of data and information available to us is part of how we continue to meet this challenge. It means being a public service that understands its role and relevance in a digitally-enabled and rapidly changing world. But being a modern public service is more than just applying this or that technology. It means being a public service that is able to respond to how the society we serve is changing – and finding the right balance in how we deliver that service, whether digitally or in person.
A modern public service means we’re exploring different ways of working. It’s a public service that is better able to anticipate and respond to emerging issues and opportunities, and not being perceived as a barrier to innovation and progress. We need to become a more nimble public service so we can quickly deploy new solutions and effectively adapt as the social, economic and technological landscape continues to shift. Our ability to do this was proven during the pandemic response. The challenge is to make this agility more of the regular operational DNA of the public service and not something deployed only in times of crisis.
with experts in behavioural insights, data, service design, DevOps and more.
how public servants are modernizing B.C.’s policies and regulations.
the Policy Community of Practice to network with policy professionals.
our ever-growing hub of technology resources and information.
A modern public service designs and develops services, policies and programs through experimentation and data-informed research and analysis. A modern public service is one that can balance the potential of technology without sacrificing the priorities of service, privacy and security. Above all, a modern public service is actually much more human – using innovative methods, tools and approaches to better understand, respond to and even anticipate the diverse needs and expectations of citizens.
To continue to build a more responsive, adaptable and modern public service, we will:
- Provide new and enhanced employee tools, training and resources to support greater collaboration and more effective ways of working across the public service and with partners.
- Enhance our capability to deliver quality policy advice and outcomes with targeted initiatives to identify and develop policy professionals and by fostering a public service culture that values policy excellence.
- Expand the adoption and application of behavioural insights, strategic foresight and other data-driven, evidence-based approaches to policy and program design.
- Introduce a new Framework for Change and supporting resources to continue advancing the shift to a more innovative and experimental public service culture.
- Enable employees to safely, reliably and efficiently access the data they need to understand complex issues.
- Pilot an integrated HR delivery model that introduces a more holistic and coordinated approach to delivering human resource services within the BC Public Service.
- Develop new self-service applications and automated forms so employees can access the HR information, programs or services they need quickly and easily.
- Update our careers website to make it easier to find and apply for public service jobs online.
- Encourage and enable public servants to use active transportation to commute to and from work by providing convenient end-of-trip facilities at government buildings for all newly constructed office spaces or those undergoing a major renovation. Planning and installation will be informed with baseline data and consultation with employees.
- Provide employees with modern workspaces that provide choice and flexibility through a more effective mix of technology, space and culture.
- Pilot shared workspace options with a 10,000 square-foot building in Langford and at the Capital Park-2 location in the Legislative Precinct in Victoria.
- Expand the use of the BC Services Card to support access to a wider range of government services, both in-person and online.
- Support companies to quickly and securely share trusted and verifiable business information with other levels of government, suppliers, banks and partners.
- Make it easier for people to access the government services they count on, no matter where they live in the province by expanding their options beyond online, in-person and phone to include verify-by-Video, SMS/text, co-browsing and web chat.
- Transform our approach to engaging British Columbians in dialogue about improving the policies and services that affect them.