2024 Highlights Day 2: Formation of the National Digital Capability Advisory Group

The Digital Office for Scottish Local Government, in partnership with the Scottish Digital Academy, has formed a new National Digital Capability Advisory Group (DCAG). This new advisory body will play a crucial role in developing digital capability across Scotland's public and third sectors, ensuring that organisations can efficiently design, build, and maintain high-quality digital services. 

Purpose of the DCAG 

The DCAG has been formed to strengthen strategic coordination, collaboration, and co-creation among public and third sector organisations, with a clear focus on developing and advancing digital capabilities. Digital capability refers to the people, skills, and systems needed to support and sustain digital transformation, underpinned by Digital, Data, and Technology (DDaT) skills and roles as defined within the Scottish Government's DDaT Profession and the Digital Scotland Service Manual. 

The DCAG will serve as an advisory body, sharing knowledge, data, and insights from across its member organisations to guide the development of Scotland’s digital workforce. Its formation is in alignment with ongoing public service reform and the Scottish Government's Digital Programme. 

Guiding Principles 

• The DCAG will focus on improving digital capability, skills, and talent within the public and third sectors to support the delivery of efficient digital services. 

• The DCAG operates under the authority of the Scottish Government’s Digital Directorate, serving as a governance and advisory body for the Scottish Digital Academy. 

• The DCAG will work collaboratively, ensuring alignment of actions with national strategic priorities. 

Key Responsibilities and Objectives 

The DCAG will provide guidance and advice on matters related to digital capability, including profession management and professional learning. It will advocate for the adoption of the Digital Scotland Service Manual’s resources and best practices while acting as a ‘critical friend’ in challenging existing systems and recommending improvements. 

Key deliverables for the DCAG include: 

• Developing a joint action plan to support the delivery of digital capability standards. 

• Providing leadership to support the progression of activities aligned with Scotland’s Digital Strategic Plan. 

• Exploring new operating models to enhance professional learning and development across public and third sectors. 

• Fostering collaboration on procurement, funding, and resource-sharing to scale digital solutions and improve efficiency across organisations. 

Looking Ahead 

The DCAG’s mission is to ensure Scotland’s public and third sectors are equipped with the digital skills, tools, and resources necessary to deliver high-quality services in the digital world. Through collective action, shared insights, and strategic alignment, the DCAG will support Scotland’s journey toward digitally capable and future-ready public services. 

Lee Dunn, Head of the Scottish Digital Academy said, “We’re all aware of the challenges that the public sector faces over the next few years and the need to continue to improve digital public services. The advisory group is one approach that we’re taking to bring organisations together to align direction, coordinate effort and share resources.” 

Verity Hislop, Senior Project Manager, Digital Office for Scottish Local Government said, "A Digital Capability Advisory Group in the public sector not only drives informed decision-making but also promotes cost savings and operational efficiency. By leveraging shared resources and cross-functional expertise, it reduces duplication of efforts and encourages collaboration. This leads to streamlined processes, optimised use of existing capabilities, and more effective solutions to complex challenges, ensuring that public services are both innovative and cost-effective