As the DNA Labs move into our next horizon, our focus is shifting from a push model (“here’s why you should work differently, and you’ll need help so let us show you how”), to more of a pull model (“you’re probably already taking steps towards change - we’re here to help, and here’s how you can engage us as you need”).
As we grow, we also want to put some rigour and repetition around our services so that agencies know how to engage with us. They will also better understand what is expected of them, and how to successfully set them up for lighter-touch support after their DNA Labs engagement.
Additionally, by putting more structure around our service offerings, it allows us to build long-standing teams around specific capabilities. That means moving work to teams instead of the old model of moving people to the work.
So when an agency engages DNA Labs for a piece of work, they are not only getting highly-skilled individuals to work on their service needs, but also an experienced team that has worked together in the past solving similar problems.
Agencies can engage the DNA Labs to help under five key service offerings. Each offering will have one (or many) teams that are experienced in delivering that capability.
To make all of this work, we will have a more refined set of entry criteria for projects coming into our Labs, along with a more robust mobilisation phase to ensure agencies are ready to move their project to us.
The Five Key Service Offerings
Life Journey Mapping
When citizens engage with government, we know they do so across a number of agencies and their path through services is rarely linear. We want to understand that journey beyond the lens of just one provider and see how the experience links together.
The teams working on Life Journeys are engaging parties across agencies to identify and prototype opportunities for service improvements.
Read more about end of life journeys.
Prototype Development
This Service Offering is about helping agencies test the validity of a product before committing to a large investment or a big implementation. The team will provide accelerated prototype design, development and market testing for new products and services. We expect these prototypes will then inform a business case to bring a service to life.
After working with the DNA Labs on a Prototype Development, the prototype will then be handed over to the agency, who retains ownership and accountability to build it out to Minimum Viable Product.
Core Components & Platforms
Given that the DNA Labs are uniquely positioned across all agencies and we built the Digital Design System (DDS), it makes sense that we offer a service that builds out core government components and platforms.
Strategic Enablement
This is the offering that most agencies have engaged with DNA Labs in the past.
We plan to continue supporting strategic programs of work with design thinking, agile delivery and team coaching though our Strategic Enablement offering.
Capability Uplift
DNA Labs spend a lot of time helping different teams, agencies and leaders set up their projects for success. Although this often happens behind the scenes, it is extremely important time spent steering and guiding teams across government.
Given the critical role DNA Labs often plays in supporting leaders and project delivery, we are putting more structure around the capabilities we offer. These capabilities include:
- workshop facilitation
- digital strategy
- program steering or direction
- market/user testing
- digital skills coaching
- role-specific training.
The DNA Labs Team is very excited about what 2019 has in store. We expect to grow in both size and capability and we look forward to more partner projects this year.
If you’d like to get involved with the DNA Labs or if you want to know more about our Service Offerings, please contact us at: digital@finance.nsw.gov.au.