IT in Public Administration
Value Chain
Be Low Cost Producer IT strategic if it can:
Help reduce production costs &
clerical work
Reduce inventory, accounts
receivable, etc.
Use facilities and materials better
Offer interorganizational efficiencies
Produce Unique Product
- IT strategic if it can:
Offer significant component of
product
Offer key aspect of value chain
Permit product customization to
meet customer’s unique needs
Provide higher/unique level of
customer service/satisfaction
Fill Market Niche - IT
strategic if it can:
Permit identification of special
needs of unique target market
Spot and respond to unusual
trends
CIO Survey Results
Rank
Public Sector1
Private Sector2
1
Integration of technologies
Information architecture
2
Aligning IS with agency
Effective use of data resource
3
IS planning
IS Planning
4
End-user computing
Human resources
5
Office automation
Organizational learning
6
Data security
IT Infrastructure
7
Linking IS planning and
budgeting
Aligning IS with business goals
8
DBMS impact
IS for competitive advantage
9
Distributing data processing
Quality of software development
10
Software maintenance
Telecommunications Technology
11
Telecommunications technology Understanding the role of IS
Public Administration
Issues
Proprietary vs Shared
Information technology is treated as a public
good to be shared rather than a resource for
competitive advantage.
Public Administration
Issues
Proprietary vs Shared
Multiple Goals
Multiple and intangible goals, which may
conflict, rather than profit. Goals may be
desirable (reduce crime) even though there
may be no known solution. Business
systems are often driven by feasibility
limitations.
Public Administration
Issues
Proprietary vs Shared
Multiple Goals
Bureaucracy and paperwork
Governments by impression and law are
charged to reduce paperwork and simplify
interfaces.
Public Administration
Issues
Proprietary vs Shared
Multiple Goals
Bureaucracy and paperwork
Political influences
Political cycles force a cyclical prioritization
and annual budget horizons. Goals are often
short term and oriented toward increased
appropriations and electoral appeal.
Public Administration
Issues
Proprietary vs Shared
Multiple Goals
Bureaucracy and paperwork
Political influences
Changes in elected leadership cause
changes in basic program assumptions (tax
categories).
IT in Public Administration