The vision of a Smart City needs to encompass multiple elements, from leveraging technology to the use of innovative business models and policies. Smart Government can be defined as the creation of public value by synergizing technology, information and communication to mobilize agile governance.
Smart strategies to drive measurable empowerment for success
In an era of rapid social and economic change, governments need to overcome several challenges and tap into various opportunities to sustain and improve their services. So how do Governments achieve this complex task? The answer is Smart Government.
Smart Government, by definition, can be defined as the creation of public value by synergizing technology, information and communication to mobilize agile governance. By harnessing ICT through digital transformation, governments can become fast, measurable, affordable and sustainable in the way they interact with their internal and external customers.
So, what does a Smart Vision really look like? In my view, the concept or strategy needs to encompass multiple elements, from leveraging technology to the use of innovative business models and policies. While governments across the region are beginning to engage citizens with their smart initiatives, it’s important for us to really talk about what defines a well-rounded Smart Government Initiative that is tipped for total success.
This is a topic that’s very close to SAP, given our commitment to partnering with Governments across the region to help simplify every aspect of their operations. By delivering breakthrough innovations, SAP aims to accelerate performance to capitalize on untapped opportunities, improve services delivery and hence provide a positive impact on citizens’ lives.
Happy, Urban and Sustainable
Based on Dubai 2021’s vision, there are six key pillars to laying a smart foundation that an effective strategy needs to touch in an empowering manner:
- The People
- The Society
- The Experience
- The Place
- The Economy and
- The Government
So why are we starting with People? Often termed the Age of the Citizen, the whole premise of Smart Government hinges on the people it serves. Enhancing the customer experience to ensure citizen happiness and satisfaction while improving lives through enhanced convenience is the core emphasis of Smart Government.
Within this, the citizen-centric smart foundation is all about creating a framework and infrastructure to foster educated, aware, cultured and healthy Individuals, who are productive in their lives and innovative in their field.
Leading on from the emphasis on People, the Society is an extension of the individual and therefore forms the next critical pillar of the Smart Foundation. A vibrant and sustainable, multicultural society needs to remain at the heart of every governance model.
Growing urbanization has led to its own set of needs, challenges and expectations. Best-run public sector organizations address growing urbanization, the demands for accountability, rising citizen service requirements, and safety expectations by focusing on key imperatives. That defines for me the Experience pillar. Additionally, the objective is to provide a rich cultural experience, in a safe and secure environment.
What’s the use of any strategy if it’s not sustainable? An ever-growing population and shifting demographics are creating relentless demands for jobs, business, talent, investments, infrastructure, trade and commerce.
The greatest challenge of any economy today is balancing growth with sustainability. Therefore, SAP Future Cities plan focuses on creating smart, integrated and connected cities:
- that are sustainable with their resources
- where Environmental elements are clean, healthy and sustainable
- which promote a safe and resilient built Environment
Government and Economy do the tango
Globalization and the impact of trade and competition have meant that governments can now tap into the opportunity to create financially sustainable and innovative knowledge economies. To be attractive as a global economy a city needs to enjoy sustainable economic growth, be a business- friendly city and a preferred investment destination.
The emphasis also needs to be on achieving excellence in governance by being proactive. Real-time reporting and data analytics can provide governments with instant insights to take the informed decisions at the right time. Compliance and risk management as well as fraud detection and prevention al lead to excellence in governance.
Finally, of course, a pioneering economy and government needs to be sustainable and innovative in the management of its resources, while being transparent and reliable in its dealings. The various elements within a Smart Framework need to include access to capital, labor, skills and training, state-of-the-art technology and government services, along with a robust business environment enjoying suitable policy support.
By engaging, improving and managing interactions with their stakeholders, smart governments can create lasting public value. That’s where the true value of being Smart is.