“The 2012 survey really focused on evaluating what policy makers and the public care about,” said Todd Sander, executive director of the Center for Digital Government. “Survey results clearly show that it is possible, even during challenging economic times, for state government to continue to innovate and improve service delivery through the application of information technology.”
The survey evaluated states based on a set of criteria including: implementations that support state priorities and policies to improve operations or services, quantifiable hard and soft-dollar savings or benefits, progress over the last two years, innovative solutions or approaches, and effective collaboration. Those states which received high marks demonstrated results across all criteria. State performance was evaluated by a judges’ panel of the Center for Digital Government analysts, executives and Senior Fellows.
The states will be recognized at an awards party on October 21st in San Diego, CA.
The Center thanks Deloitte, EMC, Microsoft, NIC, Symantec and Verizon for underwriting the survey and for their support of states nationwide.
2012 Digital States Survey Grades
A- California, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee and West Virginia
B+ Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, New York, Oregon, and Virginia
B Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Dakota, and Texas
B- Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, New Mexico, and North Carolina
C+ Kansas, Montana, New Jersey, South Dakota, and Wisconsin
C Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Connecticut, Maine, Nevada, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Vermont and Wyoming
C- Oklahoma and Washington
D – Florida and Idaho
For an interactive map of Digital States grades, go to www.govtech.com/policy-management/2012-Digital-States-Survey.html
Digital States Survey Grades Criteria:
A
Trending sharply up. Demonstrated results across all categories. Modernization used to realize operational efficiencies and strategic priorities under nimble leaders. Evidence of meaningful collaboration. Performance measures and metrics widely adopted. Cuts tend to be made strategically.
B
Trending up. Demonstrated results in many categories. Leadership using modernization to change entrenched practices to prepare for more sustainable operations. Incentives for collaboration in place. Measures used in key areas. Cuts tend to be made across the board.
C
Trending stable. Demonstrated results in some categories. Modernization used to realize operational efficiencies. Includes those states that had launched reforms but where results had not been fully harvested. Organizational constraints limit collaboration. Measures uneven. Cuts constrained progress.
D
Trending down. Results in at least one category. Modernization tended to be siloed and limited. Little evidence of collaboration. Few measures. Cuts threaten operational viability.
F
Trending sharply down. Inertia considerable. Negligible results. Aging systems destabilizing operations and increasing costs. No evidence of collaboration. No measures in place. Cuts cited for stopping any progress.
About the Center for Digital Government
The Center for Digital Government is a government research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government.
The Center is a division of eRepublic, a national publishing, event and research company focused on smart media for public sector innovation.
