Digital transformation in Pacific Governments

Many government agencies departments in the Pacific still paper based processes despite decades of advancements in information technology. These processes are based on ink and paper based technology and are used to manage large swaths of public sector systems. This leads to manual work that is inefficient, ineffective, and susceptible to corruption. It ensures that Pacific economies will continue to fall behind other countries in an increasingly competitive globalized environment 🌎. Addressing these issues and pain points will require resources to be invested (i.e. time, money, capacity, technology, and social networks).

What is the Governance Cube?

We developed a framework called the governance cube a few years ago to help multi disciplinary teams build a common understanding of government systems. It looks at government systems as having 3 dimensions. These dimensions are:

Governance Domain: these are the places where constraints can be imposed on a system to influence the behaviour of the entities operating within it;

Governance Functions: these are the tasks that are carried out by governments to ensure the entities adhere to the rules;

Governed Entities: these are the entities whose behaviour we are trying to govern.

What is Government as a Service (GaaS)?

Government as a Service (GaaS) is a term used to describe the shift from traditional, siloed, paper-based government services towards a digital, centralized model of service delivery. It is an approach to government operations which emphasizes efficient, digital-first services and emphasizes the user experience. GaaS advocates for digital transformation in government operations, increased citizen engagement, partnership with industry and other stakeholders, data-driven decision-making, and leverages current best practices in technology and service delivery.

Dr. Jonah Tisam Thesis section on e-Government

The thesis “Embracing Managerialism in a Small Pacific Island State: A Study of Governance and New Public Management Outcomes in the Cook Islands From 2006-2012” provides an in-depth look at the various reform initiatives implemented between 2006-2012, as well as their outcomes, and identifies potential areas for improvement. The thesis provides valuable insights into the potential of e-Government for the Cook Islands and was written by Govcrate co-founder, Dr. Jonah Tisam.

Why a Robust Electronic Voter Enrolment & Verification System is Crucial for Free and Fair Elections

Electronic voter enrolment and verification systems provide a reliable and efficient way to register voters and verify their identity. These systems use biometric data such as fingerprints or facial recognition to authenticate voters, thereby reducing the risk of fraud. Additionally, electronic voter enrolment systems make it easier for citizens to register to vote, particularly those living in remote areas or with limited mobility.

Why reforming procurement processes in government so important to e-Government & digital transformation initiatives?

Without the appropriate procurement methods, e-Government and digital transformation initiatives are doomed to failure. Why? Tldr: It is estimated that around 20–30 percent of government software projects are total failures and abandoned. Around 30–60 percent partially fail, with time and cost overruns… The problem At the heart of the issue is that the problem has … Read more

Cloud-Based software explained using Housing Analogy (SaaS vs PaaS vs IaaS)

Have you ever wondered how cloud-based software works? It can seem like a complex and confusing topic, but that doesn’t have to be the case. We’ll be discussing the basics of cloud-based software in this blog post, and we’ll be using a housing analogy to explain it. We’ll be looking at the differences between SaaS (Software as a Service), PaaS (Platform as a Service) and IaaS (Infrastructure as a Service), and exploring how they’re like renting, unit titles and leasing housing respectively. By the end of it, you’ll have a good understanding of how cloud-based software works and which type is right for you. So let’s get started and explore cloud-based software with a housing analogy.

What is Government as a Service (GaaS) and why is it so important for Pacific Governments?

Government as a Service (GaaS) is a new way of delivering government services over the internet without the need for absorbing the cost, complexities and risks associated around the large IT investments and implementations. This is especially critical in developing countries like those in the Pacific that have limited resources.

What is a software factory?

The software factory approach can be applied to delivering Government as a Service (GaaS) web applications by streamlining the development process, automating manual processes and reducing the need for manual coding. Automated development tools and integrated development environments (IDE) can be used to create high-quality web applications that are cost-effective, reliable and securely protected from external threats. The software factory approach can also be used to ensure standardization of code and ensure development teams adhere to best practices. Automated tests and continuous integration can also be used to speed up the deployment process and reduce time-to-market.