30.10.2024

Go-Live is Just the Beginning: Realising the Full Potential of Digital Transformation in the Public Sector

For many organisations in the public sector, the go-live of a new digital solution is celebrated as the end of a long and complex journey. But in reality, reaching this milestone is only halfway. For a digital solution to deliver its true potential, it must be continually refined to align with the daily workflows of its users. The goal is for the technology to empower the workforce, not add another layer of complexity.

Here’s why the real work begins after go-live, and how we can ensure that digital solutions become trusted tools rather than “another system to feed.”

Early Engagement for Long-Term Success

A successful go-live does not start on the launch date; it begins in the early design stages. From the outset, engaging everyone from frontline staff to the executive team is critical to building a solution that genuinely meets organisational needs. By involving the workforce in the design journey, we ensure that the solution is practical and aligns with day-to-day workflows, while also meeting strategic objectives. This collaborative approach creates buy-in across all levels, laying the foundation for a smoother go-live and maximising the system’s potential to add real value from day one.

Embedding into the day-to-day

While go-live marks the solution’s initial deployment, it does not signify the end of the change journey. This milestone signals the start of integrating the system with the organisation’s operational rhythms, embedding it within day-to-day tasks. To truly benefit users, the system must be adaptable, responding to evolving needs and consistently adding value.

Fine-Tuning for Real-World Alignment

Fine Tuning the solution is an integral part of the journey so it can succeed.  A successful digital transformation is one where the technology aligns seamlessly with the work it supports. After go-live, it is crucial to fine-tune the system based on real-world feedback, refining features and workflows to better serve users. The aim is to reduce friction and make the solution an enabler—empowering the workforce to work more effectively rather than creating additional administrative burdens.

Promoting Engagement and Trust

For a digital solution to succeed in the public sector, it must be embraced by its users. Building engagement requires ongoing user involvement in the development process. Regular feedback sessions, training updates, and user-focused improvements foster trust and ensure the solution remains intuitive and valuable. When staff see that the system evolves in response to their needs, it shifts from being a mandate to becoming a truly useful tool.

Continuous Monitoring for Long-Term Value

The benefits of a digital solution in the public sector are rarely immediate; they require time and dedicated attention to fully unfold. By tracking key metrics—such as efficiency improvements, reduction in redundant tasks, and staff satisfaction—organisations can assess how well the system aligns with its goals. Continuous monitoring and refinement ensure the solution provides long-term value and remains relevant to the organisation’s changing needs.

Conclusion: Sustainable Transformation Beyond Go-Live

Go-live is an essential milestone, but it’s only the beginning of sustainable change. True transformation happens when a digital solution becomes an integral part of an organisation’s work, adapting and evolving as required. By focusing on user engagement, fine-tuning, and continuous improvement, we can help public sector organisations realise the full benefits of their digital investments.

Achieving this level of transformation requires expertise, which is where our team can help. We’re here to support your organisation from go-live through to sustainable success, ensuring that your digital solutions are not only operational but truly effective.

Ready to take your digital transformation further? Contact us to see how we can support your journey from go-live to lasting impact.

 

Latest insights

Do You Say Please and Thank You When You Speak to AI?

I do…! We talk to AI more often than we think. Whether you’re unlocking your phone with your face, asking your smart speaker to play your favourite song, or using predictive text to finish your messages—AI is quietly working behind the scenes. But because it’s not always visible, we often don’t realise it’s there. And…

Northern Care Alliance – eDMS Discovery and Strategic Integration Readiness

Establishing a roadmap for eDMS consolidation and future EPR alignment. Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust commissioned Keystream to undertake a discovery phase to assess its fragmented Electronic Document Management Systems. Formed through multiple mergers, the Trust faced high costs, integration issues, and compliance risks. Keystream delivered a comprehensive review highlighting opportunities to consolidate systems,…

South Central and West CSU – Data Modelling Programme

Delivering a sustainable data analytics framework through collaborative programme design. NHS South Central and West CSU engaged Keystream to deliver a data modelling programme to enhance its analytics infrastructure. A contractor was appointed as Programme Manager to lead stakeholder engagement, build a roadmap, develop technical solutions, and implement staff training. The programme improved data access…

South West London Pathology – LIMS Implementation

Enhancing laboratory efficiency and collaboration across multiple hospital sites. South West London Pathology, including hospitals such as St George’s and Kingston, engaged Keystream to lead the deployment of a new Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). A strategic programme director oversaw the project, assembling a specialist team and breaking the implementation into focused workstreams by pathology…

St George’s University Hospitals – Oracle Cerner RBAC Implementation

Delivering secure and compliant role-based access for over 10,500 users. St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust partnered with Keystream to implement Oracle Cerner’s RBAC system, upgrading access controls in line with UK healthcare data standards. The project delivered 18 baseline roles and 48 variations, ensuring compliant, secure access for over 10,500 users. Keystream led…

Northern Care Alliance – Abandoned Referrals Classification

Using open-source technology to identify and categorise 1.1 million abandoned outpatient referrals. Keystream partnered with Northern Care Alliance NHS Trust to develop a repeatable, vendor-agnostic solution to address over 1 million abandoned outpatient referrals. The project delivered a classification tool that groups referrals by risk, enabling safe and efficient disposal. Built with open-source technologies, the…

St George’s University Hospital – Patient Flow and Capacity Management

Delivering operational improvements through real-time digital tracking and large-scale staff mobilisation. St George’s University Hospital partnered with Keystream to revitalise a stalled patient flow project, appointing a senior project manager to lead implementation. The aim was to roll out a new capacity management system that would serve as the core of digital operations. The result…

Croydon University Hospital – Maternity EPR Uplift and Optimisation

Enhancing maternity services through Cerner system optimisation and future-state planning. Croydon University Hospital engaged Keystream to assess and uplift its Cerner Electronic Patient Record system in the Maternity department. The work involved mapping current processes, completing a detailed gap analysis, and recommending future pathways for both Community and Maternity Services. The outcome positioned the hospital…

Barnet Hospital – Cerner Implementation in ICU

Linking ICU devices to the Cerner EPR system to improve efficiency and standardise data across the Royal Free London Group. As part of a group-wide upgrade to the Cerner Electronic Patient Record system, Barnet Hospital enlisted a Keystream consultant to lead ICU integration. The consultant worked within the Digital Devices Team to automate data flows…

Whatever you do, don’t wait, instead seize the moment!

Embracing the moment can be tricky for the public sector. With business-as-usual firefighting, multiple change projects on the go at any point in time, and major infrastructure programmes taking place all under the same organisation, navigating all of this is no small feat. So how do clients make sense of it all in a coherent…