A Smarter Approach to Digital Transformation in Councils

Let’s be real - working in local government isn’t easy. You’re constantly juggling competing priorities, from compliance and governance obligations to delivering essential services for your community. On top of that, teams are stretched thin, and expectations are only increasing.

To keep up, many councils are turning to Software as a Service (SaaS) solutions to improve efficiency. ⚠ But here’s the catch: without a clear strategy, adding more systems can sometimes create more problems than it solves. 

We’ve spoken with IT leaders and executives across councils, and one thing is clear: many teams are struggling under the weight of too many disconnected systems. Some councils are operating with up to 120 different software solutions - each with its own compliance checks, governance requirements, and technical quirks. It’s no wonder that teams are bogged down, IT costs are rising, and decision-making is slower than it needs to be.

The good news? You don’t have to accept the way things are. There’s a better way forward.

Why it’s time to rethink your digital strategy 

Disconnected systems don’t just create inefficiencies - they make it harder for your teams to do their jobs and serve your community effectively. When important data is scattered across different platforms, teams waste valuable time searching for information, manually pulling together reports, and working reactively instead of proactively. 

It’s not just an IT challenge - it’s a major roadblock for service delivery, compliance, and strategic decision-making.

So, what’s stopping councils from moving towards a more streamlined, connected approach? While every council is different, we’ve seen a few common roadblocks time and time again. 

What’s getting in the way?

Wasted time searching for information

• When data is spread across multiple systems, teams waste hours every week tracking down information rather than using it to make informed decisions.
• Critical insights get buried, leading to inefficiencies, delays, and frustration.

Manual work overload

• Too many councils still rely on manual processes when collecting data, reporting, and approvals.
• Instead of focusing on strategic, high-value work, staff are caught up in repetitive admin tasks that could be automated.

Systems that don’t talk to each other

• Councils often deploy multiple software solutions, but these systems rarely integrate well.
• This creates data silos, making reporting tedious and decision-making reactive instead of proactive.

How to cut through the complexity 

These challenges are real, but they aren’t inevitable. Councils that take a more strategic approach to technology can cut through the complexity and free up internal capacity - without adding more work for IT teams.

Centralise your insights

• Imagine having all your data in one place. A unified platform can bring together information from across your council, making it easier to find what you need, when you need it.
• No more wasted time searching through different systems - everything is at your fingertips.

Automate reporting & reduce manual work

• Say goodbye to manually compiling reports or outsourcing to business analysts.
• Automated reporting tools pull together real-time insights, giving decision-makers the information they need - instantly.

Integrate your systems for a smarter approach

• A connected system reduces the need for multiple point solutions making it easier for teams to access the right data.
• Spot trends, respond to issues faster, and make better decisions overall when you aggregate and analyse your data in one place.

“We receive feedback from employees through various channels and systems, so it was important to find a solution to streamline our approach. AskYourTeam will allow us to consolidate feedback from surveys such as exit interviews and new people coming into the organisation, making it easier to act on insights in one central place."

What’s next?

That’s where AskYourTeam can support. We help councils cut through the complexity of disconnected systems by consolidating insights from multiple feedback tools into one central platform. Instead of juggling separate systems for employee engagement, community consultation, and service delivery data, councils can integrate, aggregate, and analyse all their insights in one place. This means less time chasing information, fewer inefficiencies, and a clearer picture of what’s happening across the organisation - allowing leaders to make faster, data-driven decisions with confidence.

Want to see how it works in practice? Learn more about how we support councils