FWD50

“Public services aren't complicated, they're complex. In a complex system, it is literally impossible to predict an outcome from the inputs. … Most complex systems are not knowable upfront, and our toolset is wrong.” @tomski #fwd50

"Every deputy minister should have their chief of staff, but also their chief of technology. Same for political leaders. To help choose and solve the right problems." Hillary Hartley in conversation with Angelica Quirarte @quepol @fwd50 #fwd50

"I'm still bullish on the need for central digital teams in government, because they pave the way for teams elsewhere to have the space to do things differently. To have a leader that will take the heat to go do that. To be able to say, this team did it too, let's go do it." @quepol #fwd50

“What if we found people who struggled with government services, and hired them to help us design better services?” Martha Edwards #fwd50 @marthaedwards

“The question we have to keep asking ourselves is: are we asking too much of people? Is this a reasonable amount of rigour? Do we care more about keeping the wrong people out, or about letting the right people in?” Martha Edwards #fwd50 @marthaedwards

“We need to prove that we can do hard things. We have to be very direct when decisions that are being made around policy, complexity, change, are affecting our ability to deliver. We often speak a shrouded language in government, that doesn't make people feel uncomfortable. We need to be more direct.” Catherine Luelo #fwd50

"External funds should not be exchanged for your [city or organization's] autonomy. Get funding for things you already want to do." Great advice from Fernanda Araiza Guzmán #fwd50

“Be kind to yourself, be kind to those around you, and ensure that you're taking care of your mental health.” Catherine Luelo #fwd50

How do know if your leaders are ready for the radical how? ”If they can accept that you can't design things upfront. Choose your leaders carefully. Go where the hamsters are friendly.” @tomski #fwd50

"To increase state capacity and to build software together." Tamara Srzentić on forming the Rebel Alliance collaboration between countries #fwd50 @fwd50

“Trust is built by doing what you say you're going to do. It's built by delivery. Make things tight, achievable, hit your dates and hit your budgets.” Catherine Luelo #fwd50

"There's more of a community now, across digital teams. Where will things be 10 years from now?" Angelica Quirarte #fwd50

Fernanda and Skaidra talking about digital innovation in Mexico City. "We have 2,500 services and procedures offered by the city and only 8 are offered online." #fwd50 @fwd50

“What if our number one priority was to deliver government services that made people feel agency, and empowered, and a sense of control?” Martha Edwards #fwd50 @marthaedwards

“It’s not an agile software team with some policy people bolted on. It’s radically different.” @tomski #fwd50

“For 13 years it's been my job to advocate for users. We expect a lot of trust from people, as governments, but we don't give a lot of trust back.” Martha Edwards #fwd50 @marthaedwards @fwd50

“The design-build-operate process, in pejorative terms. The ‘accidental how’.” @tomski #fwd50

“Even (as governments) if we can't trust people, in our core and in our policies, we can still make people feel trusted. That's really what matters – what people feel, when they're trying to access services, that will affect them or change their lives.” Martha Edwards #fwd50 @marthaedwards

“It's radical. But it's also obvious. Be brave. Be radical.” @tomski #fwd50

“Shout-out to CDS, I miss you! But I'm also excited about having been able to incubate CDS within TBS but that they are now in a place where they can scale their impact.” Catherine Luelo #fwd50