Discussing and Conceiving an Information and Technology Governance Model in Public Organizations

Abstract

Over the past decades, the role of Information Technology (IT) has changed significantly, from office and process automation to value aggregation and innovation through its use. This set of changes also includes citizen profile, government positioning and openness. They generate many new demands, such as fast, reliable IT solutions, information, and services that are enhanced by IT solutions. Considering this scenario, managing IT is no longer enough; it is necessary to go one step further to a governance process. This chapter aims to propose a guide for discussing and conceiving an IT Governance (ITG) model in public organizations. In order to verify its suitability, a multi method approach was adopted, combining various data collection and analysis techniques. A case study was conducted in the State Government of Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil), aiming to verify the suitability of the guide in a certain context. The results presented in this chapter combine multiple data sources such as non-participant observation, document analysis and focus groups. The findings show that the following aspects are essential when discussing an ITG model: business needs, managing pillars, organizational governance principles, regulations, common issues related to IT, business needs related to IT, ITG goals, ITG principles, ITG mechanisms, key decisions, decision rights, organizational structure, Critical Success Factors and monitoring indicators. Our findings have revealed that by applying the proposed guide it was possible to conceive an ITG model related to the specific criteria of the studied case.