Vũng Tàu to Victoria

Reflections on best practice in digital transformation

In late August, the beautiful coastal city of Vũng Tàu played host to an insightful four-day workshop on digital transformation. Organized by TET Education, this programme brought together 50 senior leaders from various government departments and local governments across Bà Rịa-Vũng Tàu Province.

Led by expert facilitators Fergal Coleman from Symphony3, Duc Do of ET Labs, and Stephen Joyce of Pracademy, the sessions focused on empowering these leaders with the tools and strategies necessary to spearhead digital transformation in their region.

While there were many topics discussed over a very busy week, here are some of the key points of discussion. Some of these topics highlighted important cultural and social differences between how people work in Vietnam and Australia (a topic of discussion on its own that we may tackle in another blog post).

Think Big, Start Small

Digital transformation is a massive undertaking, but as Fergal emphasised during the workshops, it doesn't need to start with grand, sweeping changes. The most successful transformations are lead by visionaries who combine a strategic, long-term view with small, immediate steps. The mantra is Think Big, Start Small. Leaders were encouraged to envision long-term goals while starting with manageable, achievable projects that build momentum. This iterative approach ensures that progress is tangible and that early successes (and failures) inform future efforts.

Building the Right Digital Leadership Skills

One of the most pressing challenges identified was the need for strong digital leadership. All workshop facilitators stressed the importance of upskilling leaders in not just technology, but also in creating a digital-first mindset. Building this digital leadership capacity enables governments to make informed decisions, manage change effectively, and foster a culture of innovation. For the attendees, this involved rethinking their approach to governance—balancing technical knowledge with strategic foresight.

Embracing Experimentation and Failure

Digital transformation, as emphasized by the workshop, is as much about learning as it is about innovation. A key takeaway was the importance of fostering a culture of experimentation—one that accepts failure as part of the learning process. Leaders were encouraged to create environments where teams can test new ideas without fear of failure, as it is often through iteration that the most effective solutions are discovered.

Agility in Everything We Do

Another critical aspect, and closely aligned to the point above, is agility. In the fast-evolving digital landscape, organizations need to be flexible, ready to pivot when necessary, and constantly adapt to new challenges and technologies. The workshop highlighted how embracing an agile approach can lead to quicker decision-making, better problem-solving, and a more responsive public sector.

Lego Block Thinking

Senior leaders were encouraged to think of their systems as Lego Blocks. An on-premise single monolithic ERP system will not deliver digital transformation. The new digital landscape is cloud-based with APIs connecting everything. This enables systems to be woven together quickly and efficiently to deliver new digital services at low cost. This approach to technology facilitates the experimentation and agilty discussed earlier.

The Power of Data

Good data is the backbone of any successful digital transformation. The leaders were introduced to the importance of leveraging data to make more informed decisions. By placing data at the heart of their processes, governments can create more efficient, responsive, and transparent services. This, in turn, leads to better outcomes for citizens. Throughout the workshop, leaders were shown how data can be used to continuously improve services, drive innovation, and support evidence-based policymaking. The Victorian Digital Twin project was cited as an example of innovative use of data in government.

Putting Citizens at the Centre

Fergal's sessions strongly emphasised human-centered design and citizen-centric services. In any digital transformation effort, the ultimate goal should be to improve the lives of citizens. Governments must ensure that every digital service or tool is designed with the user in mind. Through practical exercises, attendees explored how to keep the citizen at the center of decision-making, from designing intuitive services to simplifying processes for easier access. We also discussed the Digital Service Standard.

AI: The Transformative Technology

One of the most forward-looking topics covered was the potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform society. Fergal described AI as the most transformative technology of our generation—one that could surpass the impact of the internet and mobile phones. The leaders learned how AI can enhance decision-making, improve public services, and create smarter, more responsive governments. Importantly, Vietnam is already making strides in this area, with innovative projects in Smart City data and AI development that can serve as a foundation for broader transformation. For more on AI visit www.symphony3.com/ai-resources.

Vietnam’s Progress and Learning from Australia

While Australia ranks 5th globally in digital transformation, Vietnam is already making waves with innovative smart city initiatives. The workshop facilitated knowledge sharing, enabling participants to explore how both countries can learn from each other's successes and challenges. For Vung Tao’s leaders, this exchange of knowledge set the scene for their pending visit to Melbourne.

The Australia Experience: From AWS to Bendigo

Two weeks after the Vũng Tàu workshops, the delegates travelled to Victoria, Australia, for site visits that further reinforced their learning.

AWS Builders Lab

One standout visit was to the AWS Builders Lab, where the participants got hands-on with cutting-edge experiments. From Formula One simulations to internet-enabled coffee machines, the spirit of experimentation was palpable. They explored technologies like digital twins and holograms, and engaged with AI tools such as Amazon Q. We also saw how the City of Moreton Bay is using AI. This immersive experience highlighted the power of experimentation in fostering innovation.

Digital Asset Management

In the last section of the AWS visit, we had a guest presentation from Raston Nga, from Modelve, a strategic partner of Symphony3.

Raston Nga demonstrated how strategic asset management can be used to develop assets in consultation with the local community. These assets can engage the community and draw in tourists from further afield. The example cited was the new National standard stadium that is built by Barossa Council in South Australia. The $49m investment will deliver a ROI within 2–3 years, and furthermore, with proper asset planning, the asset lifetime will be prolonged, ensuring taxpayers get maximum bang for their buck.