This chapter introduces the GovTech Policy Framework, which outlines the factors that maximise the potential for GovTech engagements to be successful and sustainable. The framework presents both the building blocks and the enablers for GovTech.
Enabling Digital Innovation in Government
The OECD GovTech Policy Framework
OECD Digital Government Studies
Abstract
The GovTech Policy Framework is a policy tool that outlines the factors that maximise the potential for GovTech engagements to happen successfully and sustainably. The framework consists of two parts: the GovTech Building Blocks and the GovTech Enablers, which are illustrated in Figure 2.1 below:
Source: Authors’ own design
The GovTech Building Blocks represent the ideal set of conditions that should be in place at the micro level within a public sector entity to minimise the risk and maximise the success and positive impact of GovTech collaboration. The framework outlines the elements needed in the public sector for GovTech to be effective, including a mature digital government infrastructure, capacities for collaboration and experimentation, the resources and implementation support, and finally, the availability and maturity of GovTech partners (Chapter 3).
At a macro level, the GovTech Enablers create the environment to support and encourage good practices and a vibrant GovTech ecosystem. By addressing these enablers at the strategic, institutional, and network layers, countries have the potential to initiate, improve and mobilise the elements defined under the building blocks to create the best possible environment for GovTech collaborations to flourish (Chapter 4).
While these are the ideal factors, governments could consider what principles could be adopted in the short-to-medium term to enable them to pursue GovTech opportunities in parallel to developing these building blocks and enablers in their public sectors. They are not intended to preclude public sector entities from using GovTech while they develop their digital government maturity.
To guide public sector entities in implementing GovTech, the framework can be used alongside the GovTech Decision Tree (described in Chapter 5) to determine which public sector challenges are the most appropriate to address with the support of GovTech.
While GovTech can be utilised by any public sector entity in any country, it is important to establish certain enabling conditions for GovTech engagements to be effective and sufficient digital government maturity to help achieve the desired outcomes.
These enabling conditions are necessary to ensure that GovTech engagements include:
a co-ordinated approach: GovTech support needs to be mobilised and co-ordinated in close alignment with strategies for digital government and public sector innovation, which is enabled also with commitment from executive and political leadership. This helps create a cohesive and unified approach, using resources and expertise effectively to maximise impact.
risk management: while GovTech may require an increased appetite for risk and innovative procurement approaches, it is still important to act with integrity and due diligence to ensure that GovTech partners are mature and financially viable enough to work with the public sector.
a means of implementation: including the processes to procure, collaborate on, and scale-up solutions. These processes ensure that GovTech projects are delivered effectively and efficiently.
fair and equal treatment: GovTech engagements should be based on genuine collaboration among partners (instead of directing suppliers to meet pre-determined requirements). The public sector should not impose unnecessarily burdensome restrictions and neither partner should seek to undermine or exploit the process.
Thus, the intent of the GovTech Policy Framework is to be used as a tool to raise awareness, analyse capacity, and drive action as a tool for:
awareness: the framework offers a resource to recognise GovTech across the public sector, and to foster meaningful dialogue about the use of GovTech.
analysis: governments can use the framework to assess and evaluate the state of their GovTech ecosystem, including to identify the key opportunities for further development.
action: the framework serves as a valuable guide for developing action plans as governments embark on GovTech initiatives.
By using the GovTech Policy Framework as a tool in this way, public sector entities can engage GovTech actors in the right way to maximise the impact of their collaborations.
Both the GovTech Policy Framework and its contextual information provided in this paper are based on the OECD’s extensive work on digital government, public sector innovation, and public procurement for digital solutions. The framework supports the implementation and dissemination of the OECD Recommendation on Digital Government Strategies [OECD/LEGAL/0406],the Recommendation on Public Procurement [OECD/LEGAL/0411] and the Declaration on Public Sector Innovation [OECD/LEGAL/0450], and takes into account further existing OECD standards such as the Recommendation for Agile Regulatory Governance to Harness Innovation [OECD/LEGAL/0464], the Recommendation on Open Government [OECD/LEGAL/0437].
It offers a practical tool to policy makers as an option to make use of those OECD standards in the context of digital government approaches and in the pursuit of innovation. It uses the analysis and findings of country-specific and thematic reports such as the Digital Government Reviews of Luxembourg and of Latin America and the Caribbean, which have helped informed the development of a concrete framework with which countries can analyse and build their capacity for effective GovTech practices.
The framework was developed by the OECD Working Party of Senior Digital Government Officials (E-Leaders) and its GovTech Thematic Group, which consists of digital government officials and GovTech experts from OECD Members and partners. The framework also benefited from the feedback and content enrichment received through engagement with representatives from around twenty GovTech teams globally representing the public and non-governmental sectors. Finally, additional data collection was undertaken through a call for GovTech policy examples from countries, which further informed and refined the development of the framework.