Balancing transformation against operating constraints in the public sector
Transformation strategies in the public sector are running afoul of changing priorities and the constraints being placed on public sector.
The biggest challenges limiting the ability to change are:

- Changing priorities stall change programs (40%)
- Leadership resists change (32%)
- Back-office systems inhibit agility (32%)
- Staff resisting change (32%)
Most organizations are experiencing pressure for more efficiencies but struggle to deliver services without tax increases. They face challenges when hiring the right people and clearing backlogs.
Overall there has been a decline in monitoring the quality and success of services delivered. This suggests public sector organizations worldwide are struggling to cope in the current economic climate.
Over the last 24 months top 3 global changes in success measures:
- Greater pressure to deliver efficiency savings (37%)
- Public pressure to improve spending transparency (34%)
- Growing central services/ shared service footprint (33%)
Organizations have 3 clear favourite methods of finding savings:
- Adopting lower cost solutions that deliver efficiencies through collaboration (33%)
- Moving to a shorter working week to save salary costs (30%)
- Making cuts to citizen or community services (29%)
However, unless these approaches are intelligently applied, they’re only likely to cause compounding complexity and leave organizations on the back foot as we emerge into more stable circumstances.
Ready to learn more?
For a full overview of the public sector’s transformation dilemma and how you can overcome it, check out this article or read our full 2023 State of the Digital Nation report.
Sign up to see more like this
Popular blogs
April 28, 2026 10 min read
Procurement Trends 2026: Cost Savings, Talent Enhancement & Digital Automation
Read more
July 31, 2026 6 min read
AI for Continuous Forecasting: Moving Beyond the Annual Budget Cycle
Read more
July 17, 2026 6 min read
How AI-Native FP&A Eliminates the Export-Reconcile Cycle (And Why That Changes Everything)
Read more
August 5, 2026 6 min read
People Analytics for Workforce Planning: A 2026 Guide for HR Leaders
Read more
August 7, 2026 7 min read
Governance by Design: Making AI Auditable in Financial Planning and Control
Read more
August 3, 2026 6 min read
Strengthening Supplier Relationships with Better Data and Insights
Read more
Don't miss the latest Unit4 blogs
Sign up for industry insights & exclusive content