Bridging the Delivery Gap in Government IT: The Case for Enabling Everyday Tools

Australia’s public sector faces growing pressure to deliver better, faster, and more secure digital services, yet more than one-third of major federal digital projects are currently underperforming, with many reporting medium or lower delivery confidence according to recent government findings. 

In a landscape where complexity is rising and expectations are intensifying, many government IT leaders are looking for solutions that are not only effective but practical. Success often comes down to delivery capability. And the fastest path to delivery success doesn’t always mean bold new platforms or massive investments. Sometimes, it starts with transforming the everyday tools employees use to work, share and deliver. 

To explore this in more depth, download our two latest resources created for public sector IT professionals: 

• IDC Analyst Whitepaper: Transforming Public Sector Service Delivery
  
• Nitro Public Sector Guide: Managing What Matters: Smarter Strategies for Government Documents

Why government digital projects are under pressure 

Several recurring challenges have been identified in government-led technology projects:  

• Complex, interdependent legacy systems 
• Organisational change occurring alongside tech upgrade
• Staffing shortages in key digital roles  
• Compliance demands and integration barriers 

These issues collectively contribute to lower delivery confidence and increase the risk of program failure. 

At the same time, Gartner’s 2025 public sector outlook points to efficiency, operational effectiveness and accelerated outcomes as core CIO priorities. The mismatch between what agencies aspire to deliver and what they can practically execute is the delivery gap. 

Everyday tools can be the fix 

Simple, well-integrated tools like eSignatures and document automation platforms can play a critical role in closing this gap. These tools don’t require a full-stack overhaul, yet they drive significant improvements in digital service delivery. 

As outlined in Nitro’s latest research for public sector organisations:  

• 92% of scanning mistakes are eliminated by eSign solutions  
• 50% of knowledge worker time is lost to manual document management  
• 80% of employees request cloud-based file sharing
• 72% of businesses say eSign boosts customer renewal rates 

The benefits are clear: digitised workflows reduce friction, improve compliance, and help teams deliver on mission outcomes more efficiently. For a full breakdown, explore the data and insights in the IDC Analyst Whitepaper. 

From complexity to confidence: Enabling fast wins 

Digital transformation doesn’t have to be disruptive to be effective. In fact, smaller upgrades in document workflows can yield outsized results when implemented correctly. These include:  

• Faster procurement and approvals via eSign workflows  
• Remote service delivery with digital forms and PDF tools  
• Simplified compliance and audit readiness through standardised documentation  
• Greater collaboration across departments with shared, cloud-based platforms 

These types of efficiencies are discussed in more detail in Nitro’s Public Sector Guide, offering a practical roadmap for technology leaders. 

Real impact, real results: Local government success 

Shoalhaven City Council increased productivity tool usage by 364% after switching to Nitro, freeing IT from licensing headaches and empowering staff with reliable PDF tools. Meanwhile, the City of Vincent improved staff productivity by 500%, streamlining service delivery with an intuitive, standardised document platform. 

These examples show how local government bodies can significantly improve delivery outcomes without adding new complexity to their tech stacks. 

Backed by industry, guided by insight 

Deloitte’s 2025 Government Trends report and Gartner’s 2025 CIO outlook both reinforce the importance of delivery capability and pragmatic tools to achieve outcomes. In a time where 110 federal digital projects are under central assurance monitoring, making a strong case for investing in tools that improve delivery confidence from the bottom up. 

Start small, deliver big 

Tools like Nitro PDF and eSign don’t just digitise forms; they empower your team to  work better, faster, and with fewer risks. 

• Download the IDC Analyst Whitepaper: Transforming Public Sector Service Delivery
• Download Nitro’s Public Sector Guide: Managing what Matters: Smarter Strategies for Government Documents

Let’s start closing the delivery gap, one digital form at a time.