Tripod Teams: Bringing balance to public policy

Public sector initiatives often fail to deliver the desired outcomes due to operational and cultural disconnect; a lack of understanding of how to deliver the initiative operationally in a way that meets the needs and expectations of the public.

At Lighthouse, we believe the answer to this is to bring the right people together from the very start:

• Policy
• Operations, and
• Digital

We believe there is a higher chance of success in projects where these three disciplines are working together as one team.

This is an idea we call Tripod Teams.

To work effectively, tripods need all three legs. Remove one and they become unstable, tipping over under the slightest bit of pressure. The same is true of public policy initiatives.

By uniting experts from Policy, Operations and Digital into cohesive units, we ensure that all critical aspects of a project are equally supported.

The three pillars

First, let's take a look at what each of the three components bring to the table.

Policy

Policy serves as the strategic compass of any public policy initiative. They provide the vision and objectives that guide actions and decisions.

Policy experts bring legislative knowledge and important political insight as they manage relationships with ministers and key stakeholders.

By crafting clear policy goals and taking responsibility for delivering them, Policy help teams focus on the right things and gain ministerial support.

Operations

Operations translate policy into action. They are the engine that drives implementation, ensuring that strategies are executed efficiently and effectively.

Their role includes planning and executing operational strategies, monitoring performance and coordinating with other departments and agencies.

Operations ensure that the practical aspects of a project align with its strategic goals, bridging the gap between vision and reality.

Digital

The Digital pillar brings together user-centred design and technological innovation, keeping projects current and user-friendly, adapting to changing technologies and user expectations.

Digital experts focus on the needs and experiences of service users, conducting user research and usability-testing to inform the development of products and services.

They leverage technology to enhance services, implementing data analytics to inform decisions and measure impact.

By ensuring cybersecurity and data protection, they maintain trust and integrity in digital services.

The risk of imbalance

When one or more of the critical elements are absent from a team, initiatives become unbalanced, leading to serious issues.

Policies crafted without operational insight may be impractical or impossible to implement.

Operational efforts without strategic policy guidance can lead to actions that are misaligned with broader goals.

Digital solutions developed in isolation may lack necessary support from policy and operations, rendering them unsustainable.

Such imbalances can result in ineffective policies, implementation failures and technological gaps.

Public dissatisfaction grows when initiatives fail to deliver promised outcomes or do not meet the needs of those they are intended to serve.

Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of combining less than three pillars.

Policy and Operations without Digital

When Policy and Operations collaborate without Digital, there is strong alignment with policy goals and practical implementation plans.

However, the lack of Digital can lead to several issues.

Without embracing technology, initiatives may miss opportunities to improve efficiency and accessibility.

The absence of user-centred design means solutions might not meet modern user expectations, leading to decreased public engagement.

Communication channels may be limited, hindering effective dissemination of information and feedback collection.

This combination risks reduced public satisfaction and an inability to meet contemporary service standards that the public expect from modern products and services.

Policy and Digital without Operations

Pairing Policy and Digital brings innovative policy development and enhanced public engagement through digital channels.

User-focused strategies emerge from combining strategic vision with technological capabilities.

However, without operational insight, implementation challenges arise.

Plans may be unrealistic or fail to consider logistical constraints, leading to resource misallocation and potential budget overruns.

Sustainability becomes an issue when there is no framework to maintain and support digital services over time.

The risks include project delays or outright failures. Investments in initiatives that prove unfeasible represent wasted resources.

Unfulfilled promises can damage credibility, making it harder to gain support for future projects.

Operations and Digital without Policy

Combining Operations and Digital results in efficient, modernised processes and improved user experiences.

Teams can adapt quickly to feedback, enhancing service quality.

Yet, without strategic policy guidance, activities may not support broader goals.

This strategic misalignment can render efforts counterproductive or irrelevant in the larger context.

There are also regulatory risks; without policy input, initiatives might inadvertently violate laws or regulations.

Lacking political support, projects may struggle to secure necessary funding or approvals.

The consequences can include halted or defunded initiatives, legal challenges, and missed opportunities to influence policy direction positively.

A word on solo initiatives

Operating with only one discipline magnifies the risks.

A focus solely on Policy may result in clear strategic intent but impractical implementation and low user engagement. Policies risk remaining theoretical, failing to materialise into tangible outcomes.

Operations alone can achieve process efficiency but may suffer from strategic drift and lack innovation. Without alignment to policy goals or legal compliance, services can become obsolete or misaligned with public needs.

Digital in isolation brings innovative, user-friendly solutions but faces implementation barriers without operational support.

Policy misalignment and resource constraints can lead to unsustainable projects, legal issues, and lack of long-term support.

Ten Tripod benefits

Embracing the TriPOD Teams approach offers a wide variety of benefits. Here are our top ten:

1. A holistic perspective

By integrating Policy, Operations and Digital, teams adopt a comprehensive view that considers strategic intent, practical execution and user experience.

2. Well-rounded solutions

Diverse expertise leads to solutions that are more robust and adaptable, as different viewpoints contribute to more thorough decision-making.

3. Aligned objectives

When objectives are harmonised across all disciplines, efforts converge towards common goals, increasing the likelihood of success.

4. Operational feasibility

Operational expertise guarantees that plans are practical, resources are used efficiently, and potential obstacles are anticipated.

5. Technological relevance

Digital insights keep services current and user-friendly, meeting the expectations of a tech-savvy public and preventing obsolescence.

6. User-centred solutions

A focus on user-centred design leads to services that genuinely address the needs of the community.

7. Continuous improvement

Feedback from operations and digital analytics allows for ongoing process enhancements and swift adaptation to changing circumstances.

8. Policy evolution

Open dialogue among disciplines enables policies to evolve in response to new information and societal shifts.

9. Transparency

Integrated teams communicate more effectively with stakeholders, providing clear and consistent information.

10. Accountability

Collaboration enhances responsibility, as team members hold each other accountable for their contributions.

The Lighthouse Tripod maturity model

Achieving effective collaboration among Policy, Operations, and Digital disciplines is not an overnight process. It requires a deliberate effort to break down silos, foster communication and build a culture of integration.

To assist organisations in this journey, the Lighthouse Tripod Teams maturity model offers a structured framework for assessing current practices and guiding development towards fully integrated teams.

The maturity model outlines six progressive levels of integration, from isolated functions to mission-oriented teams that transcend departmental boundaries.

Each level represents a stage in the evolution of team dynamics and collaboration, highlighting the characteristics, challenges and opportunities present at that stage.

By understanding these levels, organisations can identify where they stand, recognise areas for improvement and develop targeted strategies to advance.