Now in its tenth edition, the Digital Agenda Observatory aims to provide Decision Makers with interpretation models - instruments based on solid empirical evidence - and debate and experience sharing moments to put into effect the opportunities offered by Digital Innovation related to certain major issues affecting the Country’s competitiveness (efficiency of the PS, fight against tax evasion, development support, etc.).
Digital Agenda Observatory 2022 Research
As part of the 2022 Research the Observatory aims to study and examine the following topics in depth:
In keeping with the Research conducted in previous years, this line of Research monitors the implementation of the Italian Digital Agenda and the NRRP and provides improvement guidelines. To do this, the Observatory enables comparisons at international level with European Desi data and also on the territory through the regional DESI, and communication with decision makers on account of a work group dedicated to regional Digital Agendas. In addition to DESI centrality, Research focuses on updating the Digital Maturity Indexes (DMIs), a framework of indicators that complement DESI developed by the Observatory, and the monitoring of the three-year Plan and the Digital Administration Code (CAD). The monitoring activity is then extended to the use of the resources available for the Italian Digital Agenda within framework programs of the European Union.
This stream of Research aims to understand digital innovation developed at international level that could characterize the Italian PS in the near future, to develop strategic directions on how to seize the most groundbreaking digital innovation opportunities. As a result of the collaboration with the European Commission’s Joint Research Center and a comparison with international public sector bodies, Research focuses on analyzing blockchain and Artificial Intelligence (AI) application solutions in the public sector. With particular reference to AI solutions, the Observatory aims to develop a framework of indicators to monitor and compare the level of maturity of European states in the adoption of this technology. Research is then extended to monitoring applications and drone usage by public sector bodies, smart working initiatives in the public sector, and the dissemination of some digital innovation initiatives (e.g. cloud, interoperability) provided for in the NRRP.
The switch-off line of research focuses on understanding the mechanisms of digitizing, automating, and simplifying services. The plan for 2022 is the enhancement of the model for directing investments on digital transformation initiatives aimed at identifying the possibility of centralization or decentralization of digitization initiatives, and of involving private players more or less extensively. To complement this work, a survey will be directed to local authorities to monitor the level of digitization of the services provided for in the NRRP and will extend research to explore the boundaries and potential of proactive services as well as national and international experiences in this cutting edge field. Furthermore, a widespread analysis (through surveys and analyses of public contracts) of the PS document management systems of the PS is also planned.
The goal of this line of Research is to critically evaluate the adequacy of the digital innovation offering system targeted to Italian PS bodies to provide guidance on how to effectively setup public procurement processes so that they accelerate and do not hinder the implementation of the Digital Agenda.
The delineation of the digital innovation offering system to the Italian PS and the mapping of SARs (regional purchasing aggregator entities Soggetti Aggregatori Regionali ) is planned to analyze the level of maturity reached in terms of managed spending, territory support, sector specialization, procurement platform innovation and digitalization capabilities. Research also plans to monitor public digital innovation bids/tenders, included in the NRRP to define specific guidelines for future tenders. In line with the previous edition, Research aims to analyze digital solution public tenders also through comparisons with the private business world, and to monitor the transposition of the implementing measures provided for in the NRRP, part of the Code of Public Contracts. Public spending on digital solutions and services will also be delineated, with special focus on enabling platforms (SPID, ANPR, and pagoPA) as well as some vertical solutions (e.g. blockchain, smart working, cloud). In addition, an analysis of the market for public eprocurement platforms in Italy will be conducted and, also through the collaboration with AgID, a set of guidelines on the digitalization of public contracts and interoperability between eProcurement platforms will be defined.
Given the strong focus on digital competences in the NRRP and in the economy and society in general, the Observatory has decided to introduce a specific, ad hoc line to provide indications and instruments to policymakers regarding public policies to be implemented, to foster the development of digital skills of citizens and the PS. Based on the DigComp 2.1 framework and in line with Istat data, the Observatory promotes initiatives to measure the level of digital skills through surveys among citizens and public sector workers. Furthermore, following up on previous years and in collaboration with Invitalia and DTD, the Deaprtment for Digital Transformation (Dipartimento per la Trasformazione Digitale ) the Observatory monitors the National digital skills Strategy and the related Operating Plan. Lastly, in agreement with the DTD and the Department for Youth Policies, the Observatory analyzes the impact of main public policies applied, beginning with the Digital Civil Service, and digital facilitation Networks.