The 5+1 most urgent challenges in public administration

The definition of challenges or problems is the starting point of our govtech open innovation processes to bring innovative solutions from less traditional providers such as startups or digital SMEs to public administrations. And why do we focus on problems? Because “good problems” attract “good solutions” and because many times, it is necessary to come up with limited and manageable challenges in order to start acting. In this previous article, we tell you all about our methodology to reach these types of challenges. ‍

We know that there are many challenges, but after 3 years of working side by side with the teams of local and regional Spanish Public Administrations (AAPP) in the development of govtech labs, we can say that we understand better and better the problems faced by the institutions in terms of digitization and innovation. We share with you the 5+1 public challenges that we have identified as most urgent thanks to our methodology. Let's get to it!

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1. Digital Public Operations, Data and Administrative Intelligence

The most prominent challenge, which has been repeated in Govtechlab Madrid, Govtech Lab Bizkaia and Madrid Govtech, has been the transition towards digital public operations, focused on data and administrative intelligence.

Almost half of the challenges we have faced are related to this area. It involves optimizing the internal management of administrations, perfecting digital governance and offering agile and efficient administrative services to citizens. 'We do not have systematized data to make decisions', ‘The procedure is done on paper and then digitized’ or ‘Citizens demand to be able to carry out their procedures, such as the registration form, online and without having to go to the City Hall’, are some of the comments we hear in our laboratories.

And it is no coincidence. The pressure to digitize the AAPP has intensified, driven both by the context of the pandemic and its consequences, as has been the migration of people from large cities. This phenomenon is forcing small municipalities in particular to improve their digital processes to keep pace with citizens' expectations.

In turn, the collection and management of public data becomes essential to effectively inform policies, which today are either decentralized or are not in compatible formats for reuse.

Some of the challenges we have worked on in this area:

• Knowledge management
• Optimization of internal operations‍
• Data quality‍

2. Environmental Quality and Waste

The second challenge we have seen lies in finding solutions for efficient waste management and improving the environmental setting. This is a basic service that is costly in terms of human and material resources, and which impacts on the perception of cleanliness that citizens have of public spaces.

Therefore, solutions are sought that help to promote the circular economy by educating the population about recycling and separation at source. The approach to pay-as-you-throw models, or as some call it “fair waste pricing”, is presented as an alternative to promote sustainable practices.

In turn, the aim is to systematize and automate the management of garbage collection and control container overflows. Many municipalities do this manually, sending technicians to check the situation or through incident channels. Then, this information is rarely used to improve their own management, make predictions or justify new measures.

In addition, energy measurement and efficiency become key elements in the management of energy supplies, thus contributing to a more sustainable and responsible approach.

Some challenges we have worked with in this area:

• Waste that informs
• Energy optimization
• Environment and natural public spaces

‍3. New Models of Digital Relationship with Citizenship.

Participation and communication between local governments and citizens is becoming essential for public management. The models of digital relationship with citizens must adapt in an agile and efficient way to new and sometimes unpredictable contexts.

The challenge of finding ways to intensify and deepen the conversation with citizens as a first step towards active involvement and participation, aiming to reach the part of the citizenry that is not currently being reached. This is an objective that many Administrations are considering.

Some of the challenges we have worked with in this area:

• Participation and communication in the municipalities
• Online and offline behavior in the service centers
• Feedback on citizen service

4. Management of Public Spaces and Infrastructures

The fourth challenge focuses on the effective management of public spaces and infrastructures. This task involves strategic planning to ensure the optimal use of available resources, thus promoting welfare and efficiency in the provision of services to the community.

The present and future management of infrastructures such as public parks, sports and cultural facilities and other spaces, i.e., their use, availability and occupation. At the same time, we seek to adapt these services to users and their needs, detect possible underutilization of some spaces adjusting them to the demand, as well as to offer new services that are not yet covered.

Some challenges we have worked with in this area:

• Athletes in Madrid
• Information on the use of parks
• Sports infrastructures: management of pumtrucks

‍5. Sustainability and Tourism

The fifth and final challenge addresses the complex interaction between sustainability and tourism, considering aspects such as depopulation, mobility and logistics. Explore ways to balance tourist inflow with preservation of the environment and quality of life for local residents. In turn, improve the tourist offer of products or services related to urban tourism or seasonal activities.

Some of the challenges we have worked on in this area:

• Mobility data
• Sustainable tourism

Bonus: Cross-cutting challenge

Many of these challenges reveal a need for changes in internal operations, where the internal teams of public institutions must review how they structure their work and resources. The search for digital govtech solutions is presented as a way to create more efficient procedures, which not only provide better service to citizens but also generate better processes that impact on public employees themselves. ‍

In summary, these challenges are a sample of those issues that concern Public Administrations and that they prioritize when looking for innovative solutions to not only improve the internal efficiency of the institutions, but also to strengthen the relationship between governments and citizens. We will continue to explore and refine these challenges hand in hand with the challenge owner teams in each of the labs.

If you have similar challenges in your institution or would like to work on defining challenges, please do not hesitate to contact us at hello@gobe.studio.