Forward thinking leaders understand the role that national governments can and should play in driving digital transformation. National governments are in the best position to orchestrate multi-sector, whole-of-nation, and citizen-focused digital agendas for the global digital economy. However, despite isolated successes, traditional national digital strategies have only partially delivered on their sectoral digital promise. There is a need for a different approach. Digital Nation harnesses technology and digital innovation to improve quality of life for citizens and diversify national economies. The strategies focus on outcomes, have top-of-government leadership, and are collaborative.

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2. Copyright © 2017 Accenture All rights reserved. Accenture, its logo, and High Performance Delivered are trademarks of Accenture.
Forward thinking leaders understand the role that
national governments can and should play in
driving digital transformation. National
governments are in the best position to orchestrate
multi-sector, whole-of-nation, and citizen-focused
digital agendas for the global digital economy.
DIGITAL IS A
NATIONAL ASSET

3. Copyright © 2017 Accenture All rights reserved. Accenture, its logo, and High Performance Delivered are trademarks of Accenture.
However, despite isolated successes, traditional
national digital strategies have only partially
delivered on their sectoral digital promise.
THE NEED FOR
A DIFFERENT
APPROACH

4. Copyright © 2017 Accenture All rights reserved. Accenture, its logo, and High Performance Delivered are trademarks of Accenture.
Digital Nation harnesses technology and
digital innovation to improve quality of life
for citizens and diversify national
economies. The strategies feature:
• A focus on outcomes
• Top-of-government leadership
• Collaboration
WE CALL IT
DIGITAL
NATION

5. Copyright © 2017 Accenture All rights reserved. Accenture, its logo, and High Performance Delivered are trademarks of Accenture.
Outcomes, not technologies. Technology is critical,
of course. But it comes later. What comes first is
creating a business case that prioritizes the digital
response to specific national challenges based on
the return on investment.
Leadership from the top. When presidents and
prime ministers become chief digital officers, lines
of authority and accountability are not muddied by
interagency politics. Executive leadership is a strong
declaration of the commitment to digital innovation.
From builder to broker. National governments use
their purchasing power within country and globally
to attract multinationals, small and medium-sized
businesses, start-ups — even the crowd and
individual citizens — to co-create solutions.
WHAT MAKES DIGITAL NATION
STRATEGIES DIFFERENT?

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THREE FUNDAMENTALS
FOR DIGITAL NATION STRATEGIES
THINKING LIKE AN
INVESTOR.
1.
Setting the national digital agenda requires an
investment portfolio approach. Like savvy
investors, governments can use a value mindset
to pinpoint investments for maximum return.

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THREE FUNDAMENTALS
FOR DIGITAL NATION STRATEGIES
GETTING CLEAR ON
GOVERNANCE.
2.
The top executive should lead a ministerial or
department head committee of sector leaders.
The governance model should include a
strategic advisory board to provide guidance.

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THREE FUNDAMENTALS
FOR DIGITAL NATION STRATEGIES
SUPPORTING
CO-CREATION.
3.
Governments need to establish a co-creation
ecosystem and innovation management
capability in partnership with innovation labs,
startups, research institutes, and
multinational companies.

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DIGITAL FOR THE PEOPLE,
BY THE PEOPLE
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