Managing the “Fuzzy front end” of open digital service innovation in the public sector: A methodology

Tate, M., Bongiovanni, I. , Kowalkiewicz, M. and Townson, P. (2018) Managing the “Fuzzy front end” of open digital service innovation in the public sector: A methodology. International Journal of Information Management, 39, pp. 186-198. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijinfomgt.2017.11.008)

Abstract

There are many obstacles to effective open innovation in the public sector context, especially at the “fuzzy front end” (FFE), where the need or opportunity is known but serious resources have not yet been committed to possible solutions. In this paper, we report on a theoretically inspired and practically tested methodology for FFE public sector digital innovation. The methodology was purpose-built for the context and has been progressively refined using reflection-on-practice, but broadly consists of a hybrid of private sector open innovation practices, and agile software development processes. We outline the background, context, principles, stages and artefacts. Then we evaluate the method in terms of barriers and opportunities to FFE public sector innovation. We note that establishing the necessary context: a nurturing environment; cross-agency commitments in cash and in kind; and boundary spanning appointments, is as important to success as is the detailed execution of the method.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Bongiovanni, Dr Ivano
• Authors: Tate, M., Bongiovanni, I., Kowalkiewicz, M., and Townson, P.
• College/School: College of Social Sciences > Adam Smith Business School > Management
• Journal Name: International Journal of Information Management
• Publisher: Elsevier
• ISSN: 0268-4012
• ISSN (Online): 1873-4707
• Published Online: 22 December 2017
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd.
• First Published: First published in International Journal of Information Management 39: 186-198
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy