Overall, since the last biennial survey in 2012, grades improved in 21 states, declined in 12 and stayed even in 17. Eight states earned top grades, with Connecticut, Georgia, Missouri and Virginia moving up to A designations and Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Utah maintaining their A marks from 2012. Connecticut, rising from a C to A- and Idaho, from a D to a B, were the most improved states.
The survey evaluated states based on a set of criteria which included actions supporting state priorities and policies to improve operations or services, hard- and soft-dollar savings/benefits, progress since the last survey, innovative solutions, and effective collaboration. Those states receiving high marks demonstrated results across all criteria.
“Grades improved in 21 states, an indication that smart technology investments made by state government leaders during some very difficult financial times are paying off,” said Todd Sander, executive director of the Center for Digital Government. “In states that performed the best, leaders invested in analytics and business intelligence systems to help them make smarter decisions. They also deployed citizen self-service applications that eased the impact of agency staff cuts.”
The states will be recognized at an awards ceremony on September 28th in Nashville.
The Center thanks Deloitte, EMC, NIC, Symantec and Verizon for underwriting the survey and for their support of states nationwide.
To see the State of the Digital States infographic go to www.govtech.com/state/State-of-the-Digital-States-2014-Survey-at-a-Glance.html.
2014 Digital States Survey Grades:
A Michigan. Missouri and UtahA- Connecticut, Georgia, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Virginia
B+ Arkansas, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky, Minnesota, North Dakota, Tennessee, Washington, and West Virginia
B Arizona, Delaware, Idaho, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New York, Oregon, Texas, and Wisconsin
B- Massachusetts, New Jersey, South Dakota, and Vermont
C+ Illinois, New Mexico, North Carolina, and South Carolina
C Alabama, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Rhode Island, and Wyoming
C- Alaska
Digital States Survey Grades Criteria:
A
These states are trending sharply up. They show results across all survey categories. Modernization is used to realize operational efficiencies and strategic priorities. There is evidence of meaningful collaboration, and performance measures and metrics are widely adopted.
B
These states are trending up. They show results in many survey categories, and their leaders use modernization to change entrenched practices to prepare for more sustainable operations. Incentives for collaboration are in place, and performance measures are used in key areas.
C
These states are trending stable. They show results in some survey categories. Modernization is used to realize operational efficiencies. This grade level includes states that have launched reforms but where results have not been fully harvested. Organizational constraints limit collaboration, and performance measures are uneven.
D
These states are trending down. They show results in at least one survey category, but modernization tends to be siloed and limited. There is little evidence of collaboration. They have implemented few performance measures, and budget cuts threaten operational viability.
F
These states are trending sharply down. They show negligible results, and aging systems are destabilizing operations and increasing costs. There are no performance measures in place and evidence of collaboration is non-existent. Budget cuts are 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. See http://www.centerdigitalgov.com.
The Center is a division of eRepublic, the nation's only media and research company focused exclusively on state and local government and education. See http://www.erepublic.com.
For more information contact Janet Grenslitt, Director of Surveys and Awards, Center for Digital Government, jgrenslitt@centerdigitalgov.com.
