- Open administration
- Open Data and Transparency
- Open government
- Innovation
- sense category
The importance of the amendment period in the Digital Maturity Index (IMD)
The amendment period is crucial in the process of calculating the Digital Maturity Index (IMD). During this period, local administrations can review the data, identify possible errors and submit amendments if they consider there to be inconsistencies. This makes the process more transparent and increases confidence in the final result.
The IMD 2023 amendment period ended in mid-March, and once all submissions have been reviewed, we have updated the data in thedata report for the calculation of the 2023 Digital Maturity Index.
We strengthen data transparency and reliability
The motivation behind the amendment period is to ensure two essential aspects in any assessment and measurement process: transparency and reliability. These are two fundamental factors to ensure confidence in the final result of the IMD.
First, transparency is enhanced by the fact that the data are published before the IMD indicators are calculated. This allows local administrations access the data that will be used to assess their level of digital maturity. This transparency demonstrates IMD's commitment to accountability and the active participation of local governments in the evaluation process.
Second, the reliability of the data is strengthened by the amendment process itself. When local entities review the data and submit amendments, contribute to improving the quality of the indicators of the IMD. This feedback process makes it possible to correct errors, omissions and inconsistencies, ensuring that the IMD is a reliable and representative tool of the reality of each municipality.
More than 400 amendments received in the 2023 edition
The number of amendments presented by local entities increases with each edition of the IMD. In the 2023 edition we received 427 amendments, 36% more than in the 2022 edition and 46% more than in the 2021 edition. This demonstrates a growth in the interest of local entities in the quality and accuracy of the data that support the IMD. This increase reflects the importance that local governments place on their own digital transformation.
It is also relevant to note that the number of amendments that end up being incorporated into the IMD decreases every year. In IMD 2023 we have incorporated 53% of the amendments received, compared to 54% for IMD 2022 and 66% for IMD 2021. This trend suggests an improvement in the quality of the initial data and in the review and validation process.
As for the type of data that receives the most amendments, they are those for which we do not have a data source and we have to make estimates or ask directly from the local administrations themselves. Among these data, there is the number of citizen participation processes (15% of the amendments received in the 2023 edition), the number of total entries (14%), the number of total exits (13%) or the number of procedures with own solution (14%).
The challenge of validating amendments
The increase in the number of amendments and the diversity of the data make the management of the process more complex every year. To ensure that only real errors are corrected and thereby maintain the integrity of the IMD calculation process, careful validation is necessary. this it involves meticulous work by the team responsible for the IMD and clear communication with local entities.
We review, validate and respond to all amendments received:
- Amendments related to usage data of AOC services (such as e-TRAM, e-NOTUM or Via Oberta) are contrasted with the activity indicators of the AOC and, if necessary, consult the corresponding head of service.
- Regarding amendments to services not provided by the AOC (such as data protection officer, own open data portal or ENI certificate of compliance), we ask for evidence that allows us to verify and validate the amendment submitted.
- When it comes to electronic administration service activity data (such as the number of electronic procedures or total number of entries or exits) we do a statistical check and validate them with data from previous years and similar administrations.
Every year we respond to all the amendments received and, in this 2023 edition, the average response time was 2 days. This speed is essential to maintain the commitment with the local administrations and to show the importance that we at the AOC attach to their concerns and comments.
Effectiveness rate is also a relevant aspect in amendment management. In IMD 2023, we have succeeded resolve 78% of amendments with the first response, thanks to the automation of certain validations.
Acknowledgments Open Administration
The score obtained in the IMD 2023 will be used to create the list of entities awarded with the Acknowledgments Open Administration, the awards that the AOC gives each year to the leading local administrations in digital transformation.
The IMD is calculated using a full year of data, so this year's edition is produced using data from the year 2023. This methodology ensures that the assessments are based on a robust and complete data set .