Early October Button Insights

Welcome to the first October issue of the Button Insight Newsletter!

The big story

The Differences Between Development Approaches: Why & When

The choice of a digital system development approach depends on various factors, including the nature of the project, the requirements, the team's expertise, and the timeline. There are several well-known development approaches, each with its strengths and weaknesses.

Ultimately, there's no one-size-fits-all answer. Projects may also combine elements from different approaches, creating a hybrid model that suits their specific needs. The key is to assess the project's context and goals to determine the most appropriate development approach.‍

Learn more in our latest blog post.

From the archives

Rules as Code – A Transformative Idea

Rules as Code is writing digital government rules (legislation, regulation, standards, and policy) in a language machines can read: Code

Digital governments’ ultimate goal is to harness digital technology to improve citizens’ lives. A new frontier in Digital Government is the idea of Rules as Code, or RaC. It’s been called “transformative” by Estonia’s Chief Information Officer, Siim Sikkut.

What makes it transformative?

The conventional status quo ends up writing its rules primarily for legal and policy experts, then having to translate them for laypeople and for machines to understand.

But in the unified framework fo RaC, rules are written from the start to be both easier for everyone to understand and much faster to implement.

Here’s how that can change services for the better.Employee Showcase

Worth Your Attention

What We’re Reading: Elvis Costello - The Early Years

Jeff Hamilton, our VP Sales & Marketing, is a big music fan, and this is what he is reading right now.

After a decade of acclaim and success, Elvis Costello was riding high in 1986. Yet he remained a mercurial figure, and secretive about his past. But when this book—the first major biography of the iconic musician—came out, author Mick St. Michael revealed the details of how Costello’s rise.

The book documents Costello’s early and pre-fame years playing pubs, trying out pseudonyms, and leading a struggling bar band while working everyday jobs. The book is a double blast from the past—a look into 1970s UK through the lens of the 1980s.

In Case You Missed It

Check out our blog posts from previous newsletters!

AI IN THE PUBLIC SECTOR: We break down AI’s potential to revolutionize public services—as well as the serious pitfalls to acknowledge when handling public information and public trust.

LESSONS LEARNED: Team member Jenna breaks down Button’s work with BC’s electric vehicle incentive program and what she learned about the ethics around data privacy, security, and responsible use of technology

CHECK OUT THIS PODCAST: On The Exchange Lab, a group of BC public servants share ideas from around the world about how to better deliver services that meet citizen expectations and ever-evolving challenges and complexities.

YOUR MIGRATION TO THE CLOUD:  Our latest whitepaper explains what to know about the process and outlines the nuances between public, private, and hybrid cloud environments.

EMPLOYEE SHOWCASE: Meet Shon, who balances full-stack development and 25 years of major consulting experience with a life of soccer coaching, wakesurfing, and travelling Canada in a converted school bus named Ralphie.

THE 40-HOUR WORK WEEK: Is it right for the sector, or contributing to the widespread burnout we see?

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