Digital transformation is more than just technology

For many, digital transformation might mean simply increased use of computers and AI. However, in the City of Tampere, digital transformation is about something much broader and deeper. True transformation requires a rethinking of the organisational culture, with a central focus on the wellbeing of people—both residents and employees. This is why Tampere has begun to build a new operating model in which learning and developing staff skills are key steps towards the era of artificial intelligence.

Why does digital transformation often fail?

In many organisations, digital transformation has failed because too much emphasis was placed on technology and not enough on people and operational development.

In Tampere, digital transformation has been promoted in the past through a number of development projects. However, the implementation and prioritisation of development projects have been too dependent on the skills and views of individual experts. This situation has meant that resources and expertise have not always been used effectively, and many important development ideas have remained just ideas because they could not be adequately supported by the organisation itself.  

To strengthen digital transformation across the city, Tampere has now set out to create a lasting and systematic structure that supports continuous renewal.

Focusing on people: Learning Circles and Growth Paths

As part of the renewal, Tampere has launched the Renewing Tampere project, which focuses on developing staff skills and competencies to support the goals of a sustainable smart city. City employees play a key role in this effort, with their expertise strengthened through peer-learning-based Learning Circles and Growth Paths that encourage targeted, in-depth development of skills. Learning Circles provide opportunities for employees to learn from each other and share experiences, while Growth Paths offer staff tailored ways to deepen their expertise in digital transformation and sustainable smart city development without requiring lengthy training. The aim is to lower the barriers for staff to embrace new challenges and to improve their capacity for renewal.

The Change Office – Support and Expertise for Development

Tampere’s digital transformation is also driven by the Change Office, which supports the preparation and development of ideas and projects, assisting city employees in planning and implementing development activities. Change Office specialists offer coaching and guidance in shaping initiatives that promote digital transformation, enhancing their feasibility and increasing their benefits.

The Change Office includes nine expert teams focused on different themes, such as economic impact, ecological sustainability, governance, partnerships, funding, and people-centred approaches. These cross-departmental teams bring together critical expertise to support digital transformation in line with the city’s strategic goals. The objective of these teams is to ensure that every development action is examined from multiple perspectives during the preparation phase, to achieve better planning and more effective implementation.

Tampere’s digital transformation, then, is not just about adopting specific technologies but about broadly leveraging expertise and knowledge across the organisation. This approach lays the foundation for an operational model that supports the city’s ongoing and sustainable renewal, ultimately improving prospects for lasting enhancements in residents’ wellbeing and quality of life.