Digital Transformation in the City Council of São Paulo: Challenges and Progress
About the Câmara Municipal de São Paulo | Brazil. Written on September, 2021
Introduction
The City Council of São Paulo is undergoing a significant digital transformation process, adapting to new technologies and integrating them into its daily operations. This essay will discuss the challenges faced by the City Council in this digital transformation and the progress made thus far.
Challenges in Digital Transformation
One of the primary challenges faced by the City Council in its digital transformation is the integration of digital technology into all work processes. This requires deep changes in culture, technology, value delivery, and operations, demanding commitment from the entire institution. The primary goal of this transformation is to increase transparency, improve remote voting processes, and enhance the legislative process's agility, ultimately benefiting society.
Another challenge is that the demands of various stakeholders involved in the digital transformation, such as members of Parliament, parliamentary advisors, and public servants, are not identical. Each group has distinct priorities and needs, requiring tailored solutions to address their concerns effectively.
Additionally, the City Council is faced with the challenge of overcoming the natural resistance of older public servants who are less familiar with digital technology. Furthermore, the Council must address concerns related to data security, such as the risk of data kidnapping, leaks, and loss of personal information.
Progress Made in Digital Transformation
The City Council of São Paulo has made significant strides in digitizing internal administrative and legislative processes. This has resulted in increased transparency, improved access to information, and greater control and monitoring of administrative procedures.
All current legislative processes are now processed digitally, with new projects being initiated as digital processes. Physical processes from the past have been converted into digital formats and continue to be processed digitally.
The City Council has also made advancements in terms of public engagement and participation. The use of social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube has enabled greater interaction with society, contributing to improved policy inspection and increased public participation in the legislative process. The implementation of open data solutions has further facilitated public access to information, though improvements in user experience are still needed.
Despite the progress made thus far, the City Council acknowledges that there is still room for improvement. For instance, greater integration between communication and technology is necessary to provide citizens with more accessible information. The Council is also working on developing participatory solutions to facilitate communication between citizens, parliamentarians, and secretariat teams.
The Role of Stakeholders in Digital Transformation
The success of the digital transformation process in the City Council depends on the involvement of several key stakeholders. These include the presidency of the house, the Secretary-General for Procedure, the Secretary-General for Administration, and the Information Technology Center. These groups must collaborate effectively to ensure that the digital transformation proceeds smoothly and efficiently.
The Importance of Updating Internal Regulations
As the digital transformation continues to progress, there is a growing need to update internal regulations to keep pace with technological advancements. While the legislative process's rules are not extremely rigid, they must be adapted to accommodate the digital transformation. In addition, the organizational culture must be changed to facilitate the adoption of digital tools and practices.
Conclusion
The City Council of São Paulo has made significant progress in its digital transformation, but challenges remain. By addressing these challenges and continuing to adapt to new technologies, the City Council can provide more efficient and transparent services to its citizens. The future of the legislature in São Paulo is increasingly digital, and it is crucial that the City Council continues to innovate and adapt to remain effective and relevant in the digital age.