CSPS Digital Academy/CSPS Digital Accelerator

Overview	Start your learning	Spring 2021 Intake	Specialized Learning	Registration	Contact us

Welcome The CSPS Digital Accelerator is a transformative learning experience designed for leaders and teams who want to experiment with more collaborative, open, human-centred and iterative ways of defining problems and developing solutions in a modern government era. It combines self-directed learning, hands-on workshops, specialized learning in technical fields, peer learning, coaching and mentoring in support of teams as they explore real business problems and prototype and test solutions with users. The CSPS Digital Accelerator builds on the success of the first two cohorts of the CSPS Digital Academy’s Premium program. Spring 2021 will be the first time we try this approach with teams, and we are excited to work with our partners to make this new approach a success. Learn more about the CSPS Digital Academy Overview of the program The CSPS Digital Accelerator spans 14 weeks in total. It starts with the Exploration phase, where learners are introduced to the Government of Canada Digital Standards, followed by the Discovery phase, where teams are introduced to problem framing and user research. It continues on to the Alpha phase, where teams go through specialized learning in design, data, development, DevOps and artificial intelligence, and start prototyping solution ideas. It ends with Demo Day when teams present their problems and their prototyped solutions to a nationwide audience of public servants and government executives. In addition to learning specific to teams, the CSPS Digital Accelerator offers learning in digital leadership for executives and managers, recognizing their key role in shaping the future of the public service. Start your learning here The Exploration phase is when teams are onboarded, and learners start preparing for the Discovery phase by completing the Digital Readiness Self-Assessment and engaging in self-directed and classroom learning focused on the five Government of Canada Digital Standards most closely aligned with the objectives of the CSPS Digital Accelerator. To all prospective Spring 2021 Accelerator participants: Completing the Digital Readiness Assessment and addressing your knowledge gaps in relation to the Government of Canada Digital Standards is an integral part of your learning journey as you get ready to enter the Discovery phase. Make sure you complete the Digital Readiness Self-Assessment by March 19 to give yourself time to explore the learning resources and take the Discover Digital learning modules. Take the Digital Readiness Self-Assessment Bridge your knowledge gaps Once you’ve completed the Digital Readiness Self-Assessment, bridge your knowledge gaps by selecting the self-directed learning we have curated for you, based on your overall and Digital Standard-specific scores. Access self-directed learning Discover Digital Series The CSPS Digital Academy’s Discover series is a suite of foundational courses introducing new mindsets, skills and techniques to help public servants succeed in the digital era. Like the Accelerator’s self-directed learning, the curriculum and topics are closely linked to the Government of Canada Digital Standards. Executives, managers and employees who have been selected to take part in the Accelerator will be registered in classroom offerings of either Discover Digital in Practice, Discover Digital for Managers or Discover Digital for Executives. More details will be communicated in the confirmation email all participants will receive following registration (link to bookmarked Spring 2021 registration section). If there’s room, employees who won’t participate in the Accelerator will also be offered the opportunity to attend one of the Discover Digital modules. Available spaces will be distributed equally between the participating organizations. Specialized learning - for employees of participating organizations Learning bootcamps on specialized topics will be offered in May as part of the Alpha phase. All working-level employees participating in the Accelerator will be asked to select a stream that aligns with their interest, role and existing skills and knowledge. This great opportunity to enhance specialized skills is also extended to employees of participating organizations who aren’t part of an Accelerator team. Available spaces will be distributed equally between the participating organizations. Here is what you can expect to learn in the specialized learning streams: Data: How to conduct data analyses, visualize data and understand ethical considerations in the use of data. Design: Knowledge of design thinking, inclusive and accessible design, service design, content strategy, content design, information architecture, usability testing. AI/ML: Bayesian statistics and probability theory, Python pandas, natural language processing, coding. Development: Fundamentals of software development as applied to front-end applications and user interfaces. DevOps: Agile software development processes, open source projects and software, Python coding, cloud computing, Docker, security and test automation, web accessibility (a11Y) testing. Spring 2021 Registration For the Sprint 2021 cohort, we will be onboarding teams from the Department of National Defence (DND) and (to be confirmed). All prospective learners from participating organizations need to complete the registration form by Friday, March 12. This includes executives and managers and those who won’t be part of a team but still want to register in dedicated Discover Digital classroom offerings or express interest in one of our specialized learning bootcamps. Register Spring 2021 Team Intake – for departmental coordinators If you’re the departmental coordinator from DND or DFO, please read this section carefully. Departmental coordinators play a key role in the team intake process. They: liaise with senior management, as well as with the CSPS Digital Accelerator Partner Success Lead, for the identification of problems and teams distribute information to employees who aren’t part of a team but are interested in participating in the specialized learning bootcamps complete the Team Intake Form liaise with the CSPS Digital Accelerator Partner Success Lead throughout the program to get answers to questions their organization or teams may have If you are a departmental coordinator for a team participating in the Sprint 2021 cohort of the CSPS Digital Accelerator, you need to complete the Team Intake Form by Wednesday, March 10. Contact us to get the intake form Questions? Comments? Please write to us!