Executive summary

Digital technologies are radically changing how citizens live, work, consume services and interact. The capacity of governments to respond to the digital transformation underway, and produce more inclusive, convenient and collaborative processes and services, is crucial for securing citizen’s trust.

The Brazilian government has been iteratively moving towards digital government by prioritising policy issues such as connectivity, interoperability, open government data and citizen-driven service delivery. The recent launch of the revised Digital Governance Strategy (2016-19) reflects the Brazilian government’s commitment to advance toward a digitally transformed public sector. There is an opportunity, however, to amplify this commitment through joint communication efforts on other strategic initiatives such as the Strategy for Digital Transformation and Efficient Brazil Programme. Nonetheless, it provides the momentum for developing a stronger governance framework for policy implementation. The identification of a clear institutional function - e.g. a Chief Digital Transformation Officer (CDTO) - to lead and steer strategic co-ordination would help deliver on current goals and priorities. Brazil would also benefit from a co-ordination process and mechanisms that allow public institutions to better communicate with each other, share resources and work together.

Competencies and skills are also fundamental pillars of a digitally enabled state. Brazil faces challenges not only related to attracting and retaining the best information and communication technology (ICT) professionals in the public sector but also to developing digital skills and growing awareness among leaders, decision makers and policy implementers about the challenges and opportunities of digital transformation. Brazil should prioritise the development of digital skills in four key areas: user, professional, complementary (the application of skills such as communications or project management in a digital environment) and leadership. The increasing share of ICT expenditures in the public sector budget also calls for strategic planning and policy mechanisms to improve the return rate on investments in digital technology. Mechanisms such as the pre-evaluation of ICT expenditures, business cases and project management standards could strengthen the leadership and co-ordination capacities of the Secretariat of Information and Communication Technologies, and improve the coherence and sustainability of Brazil’s public sector ICT investments.

In order to build on existing efforts in integrated, multi-channel and inclusive digital service delivery, Brazil should continue prioritising interoperability frameworks and digital identity systems, which not only lay the foundations for improving communication and interaction between the public administration and citizens and businesses, but provide building blocks for the use of emerging technologies. Ongoing efforts to update the legal and regulatory frameworks should also continue to ensure that digital technologies are recognised and incorporated into existing frameworks.

Brazil has several powerful examples of civil society organisations using ICT to promote more openness, transparency and citizen engagement with government. Yet, the government could better seize the opportunities offered by digital technologies to make the public sector more open, promote integrity and more actively engage with digital government stakeholders to co-design and co-create services. Harnessing digital technologies and making better use of data both within and outside the public sector would help Brazil develop more efficient, collaboration-based and citizen-driven digital services.

As the Brazilian public sector evolves from e-government to digital government, a holistic and strengthened government-wide approach will be required to ensure a public sector capable of using technology and data not only to increase efficiency but also to develop more open, inclusive and innovative services and policies.