The Digital States Survey evaluates states’ use of technology to improve service delivery, increase capacity, streamline operations and reach policy goals and assigns each state a grade based on quantifiable results.
The survey evaluated states based on a set of criteria that included actions supporting state priorities and policies to improve operations or services, hard and soft-dollar savings/benefits, progress since the last survey, innovative and citizen-centric services, and effective collaboration. Those states receiving high marks demonstrated results across all criteria.
Since the last biennial survey in 2016, grades improved in 17 states, declined in 6 and remained the same in 27. Thirteen states earned top grades, with Georgia moving up to an A designation and Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Utah maintaining their A marks from 2016. Eight additional states earned an A- designation. Louisiana was the most improved state, rising from C+ to B.
“Survey results revealed cybersecurity, shared services, cloud computing and IT staffing remain the states' top four priorities; with business intelligence/analystics and citizen engagement moving up to fifth and sixth - and we have seen emerging best practices from the states' increased focus on citizen-centric and data-driven programs in the survey, " said Teri Takai, executive director of the Center for Digital Government. "Seventeen states improved their grades, an indication that states continue to make smart technology investments and are successfully leveraging those investments to improve services and efficiencies across all aspects of government.”
The Digital States Survey was designed to highlight best and emerging technology practices that serve as models and/or can be shared across state borders. The survey recognizes these achievements and provides a common reference for all 50 states in the ongoing work of finding better ways to do the public's business.
The states will receive their awards on October 21st at an awards presentation in San Diego.
The Center for Digital Government thanks Amazon Web Services, Dell EMC, Deloitte, McAfee, NIC, Nutanix, SHI International Corp., and Verizon for underwriting the survey.
To see the awards article and the 50-state summaries, visit http://www.govtech.com/computing/Digital-States-2018.html.
2018 Digital States Survey Grades
A Georgia, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio, and Utah
A- California, Indiana, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin
B+ Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Tennessee
B Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas and West Virginia.
B- Alabama, Kansas, South Dakota, and Vermont
C+ Nevada, New Hampshire, and Wyoming
C Alaska, New Jersey, and Rhode Island
2018 Digital States Survey Category Awards
In addition, several states earned the Digital States Survey Category Awards, given in the following areas:
Adaptive Leadership: How well the states technology investment strategies match the top policy priorities of the governor, legislature and public
1st – State of Georgia
2nd – State of Missouri
3rd – State of Ohio
4th – State of Michigan
5th – State of Illinois
Finance and Administration
1st – State of Missouri
2nd – State of Utah
3rd – Commonwealth of Virginia
4th – State of Minnesota
5th – State of New Mexico
Health and Human Services
1st – State of Indiana
2nd – State of Michigan
3rd – State of California
4th – State of Idaho
5th - State of Ohio
Public Safety
1st – State of California
2nd – State of Maine
3rd – State of Michigan
4th – State of Utah
5th – State of Washington
Transportation
1st - State of Delaware
2nd – State of Ohio
3rd – State of Washington
4th – State of Colorado
5th – State of Connecticut
Emerging Technologies/Innovation
1st - State of Hawaii
2nd – State of Maryland
3rd – State of Minnesota
4th – State of New York
5th – Commonwealth of Virginia
Collaboration
1st – State of New York
2nd – State of Hawaii
3rd – State of California
4th – State of Georgia
5th – State of North Dakota
Most Improved
State of Louisiana
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 national research and advisory institute on information technology policies and best practices in state and local government.
The Center is a division of e.Republic, the nation’s only media and research company focused exclusively on state and local government and education. www.erepublic.com
For questions, please contact Janet Grenslitt, Director of Surveys and Awards, at jgrenslitt@centerdigitalgov.com.