DIBK - Mindshift as

Direktoratet for Byggkvalitet

Simplification and innovation in the construction sector

The Directorate for Building Quality is a national competence center in the building area. An important task is to be a driving force for simplification and innovation in the construction sector.

Public sector innovation challenges

Public sector innovation may prove challenging, with a complex stakeholder landscape, scrutiny of public funds spending, technology legacies, lack of alignment across the sector and cultures dominated by risk aversion.

In co‑operation with The Ministry for Local Government and Modernisation (KMD), The Norwegian Mapping Authority (Kartverket) and The Norwegian Association of Local and Regional Authorities (KS), DiBk is working towards a vision of a sector‑wide digital ecosystem for the sector.

DiBk contracted Mindshift to facilitate this change and drive a number of projects and processes running under the initiative. Initially, Mindshift assisted DiBk in developing, describing and visualising the vision and securing buy‑in from vital stakeholders. Following this, Mindshift executed a series of projects and activities, including: ⁠<br>

DiBk contracted Mindshift to facilitate this change and drive a number of projects and processes running under the initiative. Initially, Mindshift assisted DiBk in developing, describing and visualising the vision and securing buy‑in from vital stakeholders. Following this, Mindshift executed a series of projects and activities, including: ⁠<br>
⁠Enabling transformation of city planning data to digital format for efficient collaboration and data re‑use across the value chain
⁠Development of the supplier markets for increased competition and improved system support for the planning process
Digitalization of regulations on technical requirements for construction works and distribution of the regulations for digital use
⁠Development of strategy and proof‑of‑concept for a nation‑wide knowledge base of building quality
Opening national geo‑referenced data, such as flood risk areas, occurences of protected biological species and depth to groundwater for wider use, e.g. in commercial services for building applications, through APIs
Enabling local authorities to convey the essence of planning documentation to its citizens

The success of these initiatives can be attributed to some common principles: having a clear vision, but starting small, focusing on use cases and user needs, extensive use of prototyping and proof‑of‑concepts, piloting for rapid learning and adjustments, fostering a culture of trust, being open and welcoming feedback, managing objections and communicating successes.

The programme has demonstrated how innovation in the public sector is possible, given the right approach.

“

Mindshift are reliable, competent, versatile and a great backing when times are tough

”

Programme Director, Digital – Direktoratet for Byggkvalite