Government efficiency continues to be at the center of public debate, especially as ambitious transformation goals outlined in the 2025 Spending Review put pressure on agencies to do more with less. But as we ask ourselves, “Are we DOGE-ing it wrong?”—a cheeky nod to how we might be missing the mark amid all the hype about innovation—recent developments suggest the answer is more complicated than just yes or no.

The National Audit Office recently warned that many government departments are flying blind, unable to pinpoint the true cost drivers behind their services. Instead of leveraging detailed data to target waste or invest in smarter processes, many resort to awkward workarounds, outdated systems, and sweeping cost cuts that overlook where real improvements can be made. According to the NAO, detailed cost insight—not just slashing budgets—is essential for lasting efficiency. Building financial transparency and clearly assigning operational responsibility can expose hidden inefficiencies and make government services far more effective, but such improvements need consistency and momentum, not just one-off initiatives.

Digital transformation is the headline act, but not a magic wand. Recent insights from the Innovation 2025 conference reveal that the best efforts combine vision with practical investment in tools and, more importantly, people. The UK’s civil service is being encouraged to nurture a “risk-smart” experimental culture, while leaders in the US and Germany are embedding technology experts into the core of decision-making, not just the back office. This shift is critical because technology—especially advancements in artificial intelligence—is radically changing the landscape. The House Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Information Technology, and Government Innovation recently heard testimony about the extraordinary, rapid progress of AI, with frontier models now automating tasks that used to take hours or even days. However, with new capabilities come new risks, including the need for more transparent, secure systems and smarter energy strategies to support all this digital growth.

The lesson is clear: we can’t just “DOGE” the challenges with a meme or a surface-level upgrade. True government efficiency means digging deep into data, empowering people with training and modern tools, fostering collaborative cultures, and adapting quickly to technology’s relentless pace. Most importantly, it’s about asking the right questions—not just how to save money, but how to create real value for citizens and deliver on the promise of public service in the digital age.

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