Infographic |

10 key questions for public sector leaders – Infographic

Part of the Public Sector Digital Trends 2026 collection

Authors and contributors: Mark Brett, Martin Ferguson, Diana Rebaza
Download 10 key questions for public sector leaders – Infographic as PDF document

    Public sector digital trends 2026: 10 key questions for public sector leaders

    Updated January 2026 (originally published 27 January 2025)

    In the face of rapid digital transformation, public sector leaders must proactively address critical questions that go beyond traditional boundaries. The following 10 key questions are crucial for ensuring that their digital initiatives are strategically aligned, impactful and inclusive.

    View the Public Sector Digital Trends 2026 collection

    View the other infographics in our ’10 key questions’ series:

    Public sector digital trends 2026: 10 key questions for public sector leaders
    10 key questions for public sector leaders – download the pdf

    Public services are operating in an increasingly complex digital environment, where expectations are rising and change is constant. Through our research in Digital Trends 2026, we have gathered strong evidence to show innovation must go hand in hand with resilience, trust, and day-to-day delivery.

    Keeping pace with technology is no longer enough. What matters is the ability to anticipate whatā€™s coming next, understand the risks and opportunities, and make informed choices about where to focus effort and investment.

    These 10 questions are designed to support that thinking. Some build on issues raised previously; others reflect new priorities shaped by technological, social, and political change.

    Together, they provide a shared framework for reflection and discussion helping leaders align internally, strengthen collaboration across organisations, and elevate conversations. Used well, they can support clearer, more confident dialogue about digital change, its purpose, and the outcomes it should deliver for communities.

    1. How is your cyber security posture evolving? How are you building cyber resilience in your organisation?
    2. What are the essential standards that you need from key suppliers to ensure their products and services are compliant to achieve resilient services?
    3. What are the three digital initiatives you must prioritise in response to the current pressures while delivering your strategies and plans?
    4. How will you break down silos, build whole-system partnerships, and create collaborative leadership across agencies, communities and sectors?
    5. How are you harnessing data in an ethical way to target resources, design services and outcomes around lived experiences?
    6. Is your data ready to harness AI, emerging technologies and adopt new operating models? Do you have a data strategy in place?
    7. What steps are you taking to adopt AI responsibly: scaling pilots, embedding policy and governance and enhancing workforce capabilities?
    8. Are your platforms and operating models agile and interoperable enough to support collaborative and inclusive working as conditions change rapidly?
    9. What investments are you making in people and skills to recruit, retain and upskill talent that reflects your community?
    10. How will you co-design and embed inclusive practices into service design and procurement to close the digital divide and leave no one behind?