Expanding and Improving Strategic Database (CZ0038)

Brief Description of the Commitment

Access to strategy document data in the Strategy Database throughout the strategic cycle. It is important to ensure connection to the project base, to modify the environment for different types of users and to improve the quality of work with data presentation.

Problem Definition

1. What problem does the commitment aim to address? The commitment addresses the dissemination of and making available data and information on strategic documents at the level of the public administration of the Czech Republic, the link to projects or plans and other relevant systems, the adaptation of the Strategy Database environment to an extended role and focusing the presentation of data and information on a wide range of their different recipients. The commitment relates mainly to the public administration apparatus dealing with strategic management and planning, namely (1) the need to maximise the supply of relevant data and information to the Strategy Database and (2) the opportunity of drawing on and using these information resources in various forms to improve its activities. The Ministry for Regional Development is the manager/implementing agency of strategic management and planning in public administration and as such oversees, among other things, the Strategy Database system ("Database"), which is a tool for work with documents of a strategic nature and their library. The database is filled with a range of information and data that are available on the Database website or in its internal environment but are not published in the form of so-called Open Data, nor are they linked to other relevant systems. At the same time, there is no authority to require the introduction of information on strategic documents into the system, which results in large differences in the approach of individual institutions to the work with the Database itself. Efforts to link strategic and project planning also exist, but so far only in certain areas/topics. However, a more complex interconnection between strategic documents on the one hand and projects or project plans on the other is not available. This interconnection is thus one of the important points of the commitment. It is also necessary to adapt the database environment to new roles and to improve the form in which data or information are presented to their different recipients (public, professionals, managers, political level, etc.).

2. What are the causes of the problem? There is an increasing need to work with data within strategic planning and management and to interconnect it to other relevant systems; the current situation has also been caused by a period of lower political support for strategic management and planning/strategic thinking; the extreme number of strategic documents compared to other European countries; lack of human and financial capacity; some legal and technical obstacles. Based on EC or OECD surveys, the Czech Republic has been considered average or slightly below average in strategic management and planning in recent years. The Ministry for Regional Development seeks to strengthen this position, inter alia, by further developing the Strategy Database, the existence of which, on the other hand, has been appreciated by many EU states.

Commitment Description

1. What has been done so far to solve the problem? The Strategy Database was created in 2012 and since then has been continuously filled with strategic documents and further developed (in one-year steps, using small amounts of funding). The system as such is administrated by the National Healthy Cities Network (NHCN), the implementing agency is the Ministry for Regional Development. At the same time, a working group has been set up to fill in and develop the database, to which representatives from individual departments and regions have been nominated. The cooperation works at the working group level, with ministries and regions but the absence of powers to require specific activity from individual institutions divides them into more active and less active ones, resulting in incomplete information in the system (even so, the database contains many strategic documents, for which the representatives of these institutions are to be thanked). Several years ago, there was an increased government interest in improving strategic planning and management, with guidance from the management of the institutions to work with the Strategy Database. Unfortunately, in recent years, the interest of the institutions in working with the database has declined, nevertheless, the commitment aims to increase the interest dynamically.

2. What solution do you propose? Gradually transform the Strategy Database towards a system that serves as a reference register for the area of strategic work in the public administration of the Czech Republic. This means, in particular, making available data and information on strategic documents at the level of the public administration of the Czech Republic, the link to projects or plans and other relevant systems, the adaptation of the Database environment to an extended role and focusing the presentation of data and information on a wide range of their different recipients and other. At the same time, it is necessary to ensure maximum filling of the system with data and information - there are more means to ensure this, from better communication with relevant partners, through political support, to preferred imposition of obligations (according to levels). Only a system with a high percentage of documents in place can be adequately further linked and widely used for strategic work in public administration.

3. What results do we want to achieve by implementing this commitment? There will be an increase in the volume of published data on strategy documents in the public administration of the Czech Republic in general and those that will be provided in the form of open data. Apart from this commitment, the Ministry for Regional Development will deal with a number of other activities that are listed in the specific objective 3.4 "Increasing the importance and quality of implementation of the strategic management" in the concept of Client-oriented Public Administration 2030 of the Czech Republic and that by 2030 should contribute to the fact that in the Czech public administration (and not only there), our vision will be achieved, i.e., 1) PEOPLE = there are quality strategists who can think and reflect strategically and manage and implement strategies well, 2) SKILLS = strategists possess knowledge and know-how, use available relevant strategic tools, methods and approaches, 3) QUALITY = there are high-quality, understandable, and implementable strategies and, above all, the will to manage strategically and pursue the planned change.

Analysis of the commitment

1. How will the commitment promote transparency? The Commitment ensures an increase in the volume of published general information and open data in the field of strategic management and planning, thereby increasing the availability of public information compiled by the Ministry for Regional Development. This will allow the data to be used by professionals and the general public. In general, it improves the quality of published information, supports citizen participation and, last but not least, the transparency of public (state) administration.

2. How will the commitment help foster accountability? Any improvement in strategic management and planning is a shift in the accountability of public institutions towards the public. This specific case involves a clearer cycle of strategic documents, a link to specific projects or plans, the possibility of planning the use of financial resources, increased transparency of activities, fewer duplicative activities, achieving greater synergies and complementarities, etc. At the same time, there is an interest for the public to know the current basic status of the preparation or implementation of individual documents.

3. How will this commitment improve citizens' participation in the development, implementation, and monitoring of solutions adopted? If the author/implementer of the strategic document is interested, the public will also be able to participate in selected processes through the Strategy Database.

Commitment Planning (Milestones | Foreseen outputs | Estimated date of completion)

Analytical preparation of the Strategy Database system transformation | analysis of the environment (findings that will result in specific requirements for the technicalities of the Strategy Database transformation solution, beyond the scope of existing knowledge) 31 March 2023

Preparation of substantive and technical solutions for the transformation of the Strategy Database | Material containing substantive and technical solutions to the transformation of the Strategy database | 31 July 2023

Signing a contract with a technical solution supplier | a contract signed with the supplier of the technical solution based on the public contract implemented | 31 December 2023

Transformation of the Strategy Database | transformed Strategy Database system | 31 December 2025

Action Plan Review

Commitment 4. Expand and make available data in the Strategy Database system