For many public sector organisations in the UK, data is both a prized asset and a persistent challenge. Decades of operations have created vast repositories of legacy data—often trapped in outdated systems, siloed spreadsheets, and inconsistent formats. The problem isn’t that data is lacking; it’s that it’s buried, disjointed, and hard to interpret.
So, how do you go from archived chaos to clear, visual insight that drives better decision-making?
This isn’t just a data management issue—it’s a transformation opportunity. And one the UK public sector can no longer afford to delay.
Why legacy data still matters
Legacy systems continue to hold valuable information about citizen interactions, service delivery, financial records, and infrastructure performance. But much of this data remains underused because it’s difficult to extract, integrate, or visualise.
According to the UK Government Roadmap for Digital and Data 2022 to 2025, over 80% of central government departments identified legacy systems as a barrier to digital transformation. The cost isn’t just technical—it affects service quality, policy effectiveness, and citizen trust.
There are three main hurdles
Fragmentation – Data is often locked in multiple formats and systems that don’t talk to each other.
Lack of skills – Many public bodies struggle with in-house capacity to transform raw data into useful insights.
No visualisation tools – Without easy-to-use dashboards or reporting solutions, data remains unreadable to non-technical users.
This is where platforms like Microsoft Power BI, when combined with strong data engineering, become game-changers.
The value of turning data visual
When data is presented clearly—through dashboards, interactive reports, or automated alerts—it becomes accessible to everyone, not just data analysts. Decision-makers can spot trends, track performance, and respond to risks in real time.
A 2023 report noted that organisations using embedded analytics and visual dashboards are 2.5x more likely to make decisions faster and more accurately. Meanwhile, another study found that public sector organisations using real-time data insight tools saved 15–30% in operational costs over 3 years.
How Goaco helps solve the problem
At Goaco, we’ve helped numerous public sector clients unlock the power of their data—without ripping and replacing everything. Here’s how –
Data mapping and cleansing – We start by identifying, cleaning, and connecting the right data sources—no matter how old or messy.
Modern dashboards – Using Power BI and other tools, we create user-friendly dashboards that are easy to maintain and understand.
Security-first approach – Our cyber security team ensures all data visualisation work aligns with GDPR and government security standards.
Skill transfer – We don’t just build. We train your teams to use, manage and evolve your new reporting capability.
Whether it’s local councils, central government departments, or an organisation in the private sector, we know the challenge of legacy data is real—but solvable. With the right guidance and tools, public sector organisations can turn dusty data into powerful insight that improves services and boosts efficiency.
Explore how Goaco’s Data and AI services can help you move from lagging legacy to real-time readiness..
Let’s make your data work harder – Speak to our experts at Goaco today.
About Goaco
Goaco is an award-winning global consultancy collaborating as a partner with the public and private sector, delivering innovative solutions and experiences that align to the needs of people, places and planet. Click here to find out more.
