key findings
Strengthening the governance framework for digital government in Brazil
A clear, coherent and effective digital government policy requires adequate institutional arrangements to support its effective and efficient implementation. A clear policy framework with a single vision driving and leading the digital transformation of the public sector should be assumed as a priority by the Brazilian Government towards the digital transformation of the public sector.
Strengthening institutional capabilities for the sound implementation of digital government policy in Brazil
Digital skills are understood as a priority but targeted initiatives are needed to instill a digital culture among policy and decision makers. Coordination is necessary for optimised ICT investment in line with industry norms and standards. Furthermore, a strategy for ICT Commissioning is required, assuring cross-sector and cross-level and involving the stakeholders throughout the ICT commissioning process.
Strengthening the foundations for integrated, citizen-driven, digital service delivery in Brazil
Brazil has made efforts in recent years to promote the development, use and reuse of digital key enablers across the public sector.
Although Brazil has several good examples of digital openness and collaboration in the public sector, further efforts are required to drive co-creation of public value with civil society and to create a widespread culture of sharing and reuse of government data. A sound framework and context for digital service delivery will enable the Brazilian government to shift from being mainly institution-centred in its service delivery practices to becoming more citizen-driven.
Policy Recommendations
Governance
- Strengthen communication efforts around the Digital Governance Strategy and its relation with the Strategy for the Digital Transformation and Efficient Brazil
- Reinforce the role of the Secretariat of Information and Communication Technologies (SETIC) as the federal public sector organisation responsible for leading and standardising the development of digital government
- Consider institutionalising the role of a CDTO, supported by a clear and high-level political mandate and with responsibilities for ensuring co-ordination across sectors and levels of government
- Consider adopting the pre-evaluation of ICT investments, business cases and project management standards, which can help SETIC co-ordinate public ICT expenditures across the public sector to optimise investments and promote a coherent and sustainable implementation of digital government
- Ensure coherency in digital government policies across the public sector by strengthening the communication of and applicability of SISP (Sistema de Administração dos Recursos de Tecnologia da Informação) to all public sector organisations
- Establish a federative cross-level co-ordination policy to expand the offering of digital services to states and municipalities in a consistent manner
Capabilities
- Include specific actions to develop digital skills within the new skills framework to promote the coherent development of user, professional, complementary, and leadership digital capabilities among public servants
- Consider strengthening the conditions of attractiveness and retention of information technology career paths
- Update the Brazilian ICT procurement policy, promoting a shift towards a digital commissioning approach
- Continue investing in the development of important digital enablers such as digital identity and interoperability, and strengthening the foundations for coherent and integrated service delivery
- Consider bringing in expertise from outside the public sector to update the existing open source software policy in line with digital government needs
Digital service delivery
- Continue updating the digital government legal and regulatory framework to incorporate emerging technologies, to ensure that it enables and drives the digital transformation of the public sector while protecting citizens’ digital rights
- Continue and strengthen an integrated digital service policy, linked to the Digital Governance Strategy, to reinforce the coherence, effectiveness and commitment of the Brazilian public sector to delivering high-quality services to citizens
- Take a multi-channel approach to public services that includes mobile access to prevent the creation of new forms of digital divide
- Continue to promote the openness, auditability and accessibility of digital services, including transparency via the use, reuse and exchange of open government data
- Consider developing an action plan on the use of emerging technologies to promote inclusive and improved service design and delivery as a complement to the current Digital Governance Strategy
- Consider leading and actively supporting other Latin America and Caribbean countries’ efforts on cross-border service delivery, given the political and economic relevance of Brazil in the region as well as its experience in promoting interoperability across different federation levels.
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