IT-enabled policy analysis: new technologies, sophisticated analysis and open data for better government decisions

Abstract

For a long time, governments have promoted initiatives to make a great diversity of information available in order to enhance productivity, effectiveness and strategic decision-making. Today, a revitalized wave of open access to data has focused on making government activities more transparent, participatory and collaborative; together, these activities represent "open government." Some open data initiatives are intensively supported by the use of flexible and powerful information technologies and various analytical methods. This paper argues that there is a new window of opportunity to combine emergent information technologies, sophisticated analytical methods, and a great diversity of datasets in order to improve government capabilities and make better decisions. However, this strategy, which we are now calling IT-enabled policy analysis, would require adequate governance models, individuals with analytical skills, the availability of adequate data, and sophisticated information technologies. The potential benefits of creating organizations with powerful analytical capabilities within governments, universities, and non-government organizations are numerous and the impact on society could be great. However, there are also some important political, organizational, and technical challenges.