BB Deep Dive Toolkit

This toolkit is intended to facilitate the conceptualisation and implementation of a BB Deep Dive in a GovStack partner country by building on lessons learned and by fostering reuse of already exsiting content.

Please note: This is a living document and should be enriched throughout time.

CONTENT

1. Training Description → What is a GovStack BB Deep Dive? 

2. Lessons Learned → Things to consider before, during and after conducting the training

3. Resources → Links to already existing content:

   1. Recordings from previous Deep Dives

   2. Exemplary agendas

   3. Exemplary certificates

   4. Standardized survey

4. Communication & Visibility

5. List of BB Deep Dives conducted so far

1. Training Description –> What is a “BB Deep Dive”? 

The "Building Block (BB) Deep Dive" training is hosted by the GovStack Initiative and facilitated by technical experts from the global GovStack community.

Target Group: This training is designed for digital government teams from GovStack partner countries – those interested in adopting the BB approach.

Objective: The primary objective of the training is to jointly explore the foundations of the core GovStack Building Blocks (BB) and to equip digital teams with the necessary knowledge to apply this understanding in developing their national use cases to maximize the reuse of existing components and facilitate the rapid integration of missing components.

Exemplary topics: Throughout the training, participants may delve into questions such as: How do we break use case journeys down into workflows and dataflows across reusable GovStack Building Blocks (BBs)? How do BBs serve as reconfigurable, autonomous, interoperable, scalable, and secure functional components? What are the key digital functionalities, minimum data structures, and APIs necessary to interface a BB? How do BBs interoperate securely with each other?

Duration: The duration of the training typically ranges from 3 to 5 days, depending on the needs, demands and existing knowledge of the participating countries.

Format: The Deep Dive can be delivered as an onsite version, virtually or hybrid.

2. Lessons Learned → What to consider before, during and after conducting the training?

 Some recommendations based on previous trainings:

Know your audience – Preparation

• Make sure that the experts receive a proper briefing on the audience → e.g., create an info-pack including a list of the participating government institutions (short descriptions, responsibilites) any other context information to be aware of → See exemplary briefing from Egypt BB Deep Dive.

Stay focused – Target group

• Although regional trainings may be beneficial for best practice exchange and learning it may hinder an open discussion (e.g., due to a language barrier, due to a reluctance to disclose information) -> If possible, focus on one country.

Make the lectures tangible and vivid – Methodology

• Make sure to include interactive formats (e.g., breakout sessions, mini assignments, quizzes) in your lectures so that participants stay attentive and can apply their knowledge directly.

• Include the available GovStack elearnings on atingi in your deep dives (e.g., as a pre-read)

• Share live demonstrations of systems.

• Try to incorporate real life use cases (reference use cases from other countries as countries learn best from each other) – especially in the beginning of the lectures (Top-Down-Approach).

 Guide and balance the conversations – Moderation

• Do not underestimate the role of a strong moderation to guide the conversation and to liaise between the audience and the experts (this equally applies for virtual and onsite trainings) – ideally choose someone who is already familiar with both GovStack and the respective audience.

Be confidential – Sensitive Data

• For sensitive contexts and sensitive data: Consider developing a code of conduct for the technical experts to ensure the confidentiality of information shared by countries

Create platforms for exchange – Communication

• During the event: Create a space to ease communication during the event, e.g. a WhatsApp group, Slack channel (Display the QR codes leading to slack channel, Confluence and Jira)

• After the event: Consider setting up/updating Jira project and Confluence spaces to document the project roadmap, and ensure a structured follow-up with the digital teams so that participants can ask questions and trainers can share training materials such as presentations etc.

Collect Feedback – Monitoring and Evaluation

• Ensure proper evaluation by using the standardized GovStack survey → See How-To ducument here.

• Dedicate a slot for the dissemination of the survey already in the agenda

• Disclaimer: Experience shows, often participants do not fill out the survey. Hence, think about creative ways to ensure that the participants do so (key word: gamification) → the survey may also be linked to receiving the certificate.

Documentation on Confluence

• Ensure the sessions from the Deep Dives are recorded, presentations saved and minutes taken.

• Store the aforementioned resources on Confluence, under the appropriate country page, with propper access control.

• Example of documentation of Deep Dive: https://govstack-global.atlassian.net/wiki/x/CgA1Gg

Acknowledge the participation – Certification

• Consider handing out certificates for completion (and example can be found here)

3. Resources → Links to already existing content:

   1. Recordings from previous Deep Dives

   2. Exemplary agendas

   3. Certificate Template (Canva) + Exemplary Certificates

   4. Evaluation Guide + Exemplary Survey

4. Communication & Visibility

   1. Before [...]

   2. After […]

5. List of BB Deep Dives conducted so far:

   1. Egypt

   2. HoA (Kenya, Somalia & Djibouti)

   3. Lesotho

   4. Gambia

   5. Bangladesh

   6. Dominican Republic

   7. Rwanda