Tom Loosemore of Public Digital was instrumental in the capital R Reset of Universal Credit.In this interview, he tells Caroline there were no beanbags, but a lot of multi-D.This interview adds nuance and richness to the picture sketched in our previous Universal Credit episodes. Some of the key insights include:Fundamental problem of the original approach was thinking of Universal Credit as a technology challenge rather than a complex policy, operational, and design challengeThe first phase of system design suffered from incorrect data models, overly complex contracting arrangements, and thousands of untested assumptionsReset team created a small, multidisciplinary team, outside main DWP building to establish psychological safetyClear ministerial outcome statement ("more people in more work more of the time") provided crucial North StarTesting real service with 100 users through creative use of secondary legislation before wider rolloutRadical shift was to understand that the core feature of Universal Credit was how to cope with change of circumstances, not signing on or signing offSenior leaders like Neil Couling protected teams from political interference while maintaining ministerial accountabilityAdaptable culture allowed 9-10 policy/technology changes daily during COVID crisisDigital transformation requires outcomes focus, multidisciplinary teams, and continuous testing of assumptionsSystem proved sustainability by withstanding unprecedented change in both demand and policy over timeThis podcast was recorded on Kaurna land, and we recognise Kaurna elders past and present. Always was, always will be. Now for some appropriately bureaucratic disclaimers....While we have tried to be as thorough in our research as busy full time jobs and lives allow, we definitely don’t guarantee that we’ve got all the details right.Please feel free to email us corrections, episode suggestions, or anything else, at
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Brasil