Global government transformations

SAS Executive Vice President Mikael Hagström on how the public sector is transforming itself

We are living in a time of uncertainty, where government leaders are doing their best to predict future needs and trends. In our experience, we see that different government agencies, departments and ministries are responding to the volatility and ever-changing economic climate in a few different ways.

• First, there are those with knee-jerk reactions, who respond by halting programs or instituting cutbacks to alleviate anxiety, even if those actions negatively affect service levels for citizens.
• Then there are those who take a wait-and-see approach and operate as though it is business as usual, waiting for a return to normal. What they are not acknowledging is that the current times are the new normal, and the old times will not come back. Today is the beginning of a new standard.
• A third category is one where leaders and organizations use this period as an opportunity to build for a stronger future and prepare to better support citizens whose needs will undoubtedly increase.

We see at least six areas where government and public sector organizations are going beyond modernization to transform their institutions for the future. Here are just a few examples within each area:

Transforming the tax system: The Philippines Bureau of Internal Revenue has reduced its federal deficit, improved tax collection processes and realized a 400 percent ROI with data integration and advanced analytics.

Transforming health care: In Sweden, a new health care solution from SAS offers public administrators a way to model health care needs analysis, simulate payment models and monitor publicly funded services such as health and welfare. The solution is designed to support the newer “free choice” systems in Sweden, which give health care consumers more options for choosing their own providers and paths for care.

Transforming international security: Major defense, security and border agencies around the world are using analytics to create stability and safety in uncertain times, when unpredicted events have an even greater impact on the lives of citizens. 

Transforming social services: The Provincial Nerve Centre in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa has used analytics to set and meet critical measurements for economic and human development – and to promote greater information exchange between the government and its people.

Transforming government statistics programs: More than 75 countries around the world use SAS in their statistics offices for programs that range from census analysis and government reporting to financial planning and resource planning.

Transforming education: Since 1976, SAS has demonstrated its commitment to leading the way for integrating technology into education in order to improve student learning and success throughout the education life cycle. Our CEO, Jim Goodnight, is a sought-after speaker by governments and organizations around the world on education reform.

In government and industry, innovation is not always about invention, but about converging technologies among industries for new and innovative uses. We’ve covered these and other public sector innovations in the fourth quarter 2009 Intelligence Quarterly , a new publication from SAS. It is my hope that it will give you ideas to deploy in your area.

Bio: Mikael Hagström, Executive Vice President of SAS Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific, is responsible for optimizing business performance, delivering revenue and managing operations in more than 50 countries, with nearly 4,000 employees.

Mikael Hagström, Executive Vice President of SAS Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific