Cultural change as a vehicle for digital transformation in public administration

Major challenges in public administration are being faced due to the Online Access Act (OZG), which was initiated by the German government to digitalize citizen services. In order to master these challenges successfully and shape digital transformation holistically, the Rhein-Erft District administration has set up a digitalization strategy together with UNITY. In implementing this strategy, the focus is not only on digitalizing processes but also on change management and communication measures. Employee enablement, culture and digital organization are key elements of the target picture.

UNITY has been supporting the Rhein-Erft District in this comprehensive project since October 2020. In the first phase of the project, an overall vision was developed: “Rhein-Erft District – digital, personal and close.” In addition, the IT landscape and the processes were analyzed and an overarching roadmap of measures was developed. In the second phase of the project, a comprehensive communications concept was established in terms of change management. This was implemented in the form of an information event for all employees, a new logo, an experience day, a digital ambassador network, and other communication formats. In addition, the roles of change managers and digital mentors were established. Conducting training courses on change management and agile collaboration, as well as a management boot camp complete the internal enablement for the new digital services and processes.