In this digital age, digitizing government operations is one of the most effective ways of ensuring that citizens benefit from optimized government operations that are cost-effective and timely. The entire process of digitizing government operations to create a digital government is so complicated and mind-bogglingly challenging. The process can, however, be simplified by creating and implementing a segmented approach comprised of three core parts.
Digitization of data
The first thing to do to create a digital government is to create a digital record of all vital data held by the government, especially that of citizens. Registering citizens on a digital platform by capturing crucial details such as biometrics, names, date of birth, and other personal information gives the government a good starting point. Other vital government data that should be digitized include the creation of a database of all existing hardcopy-based information such as registration of businesses and financial records.
Digitization of government operations
The next step to take is to digitize the government’s operations by creating a suitable computer platform from where the government can attend to citizens. For example, creating computer software that captures vital information in cases where citizens visit government offices for services eliminates the existing paper-and-queuing-based service provision. The digitization of operations should be accompanied by availing a suitable web-based portal from where citizens can undertake simple procedures such as service inquiries and registrations.
Digitizing the auxiliary services
The last step involves the digitization of auxiliary services in the entire public sector. The system, in this regard, should comprise of government and non-government-related services such as the justice system, the public transport system, the construction sector, the business sector, the social care sector, and the healthcare sector.
Each of these sectors should be accompanied by an appropriate model that can support revenue collection as well as revenue allocation. Every segment that supports the entire public-sector ecosystem should be well structured right from the grassroots level to the topmost level. In the construction sector, for instance, the system should comprise of vital information drawn from other subsets of the entire digital government structure. For example, citizens who have acquired education and become certified construction experts and contractors can register their businesses and pay the necessary fees as well as taxes. The integrated digital government structure ensures that the government can track and trace citizens’ activities while giving them a chance to achieve self-service where necessary.