Context
The project delivers an innovative electronic system for collecting, processing, and sharing data in public administration. It is intended for state administration bodies and for local government bodies. The project aims to increase the use of evidence-based decision-making principles in public administration. Its implementation at the national level is based on the Concept of Client-oriented Public Administration 2030 and its action plans, and the Information Strategy of the Czech Republic, which is part of the strategic document Digital Czech Republic. The project also responds to the European policies and initiatives that support the digitalisation of public administration and data-driven innovation. These include the Digital Agenda for Europe and the European Data Strategy.
Objectives
The main objective of the project was to create and implement an electronic system that will be used for questionnaire data collection, subsequent analysis, and sharing of outputs and other analytical materials throughout public administration (PA). In 2016, an Analysis of the Burden of PA by Data Collection was prepared, which identified duplicate data collection in local PA, the lack of records of ad hoc data collection, the inefficient use of commercial tools, and insufficient sharing of data collection outputs. The Ministry of the Interior discussed these issues with partners and stakeholders in PA and set them in this broader context with other measures. Furthermore in 2022, the Country Report – Czechia pointed out that the effectiveness of PA in Czechia is ranked below the EU27 average, and it recommended to strengthen the administrative and analytical capacity of PA and increase the quality of policymaking. In response to these findings and previous recommendations, the Ministry began to develop The Unified Data Collection Information System that would enable more efficient data collection and sharing in PA, thus supporting evidence-based decision-making. The solution also aimed to support analytical capacities in PA by providing an analytical tool and a repository of links to relevant analytical materials.
Implementation
In 2022, a technical solution was proposed as part of a study and completed in 2023. Based on the outputs of this study, the project team of the Ministry of the Interior, as part of a project supported by the RRF, cooperated with external ICT and data analysis consultants and legal advisers to prepare the tender documentation. The public contract was concluded in December 2024. To consult on the design and functionality of the system during development, a group of pilot users, consisting of experts and officials from all levels of PA, was assembled. The supplier gradually delivered components of the system, which were continuously tested. Functionalities of the system were presented to pilot users, and their feedback was obtained and reflected on during the development. After completion of the implementation and development phase, the pilot and acceptance phase of system operation began. At this stage, user and administrator training was provided. After the final acceptation by the Ministry of the Interior, the system is operating, its further development is being prepared, and an additional series of user training is being provided. The system was presented to relevant stakeholders at various PA conferences and other events, including government working groups and committees.