In the last decade technology has made it a lot easier to make informed decisions.  Data and analytics software allows local governments to make these decisions with more information than they had in the past. This blog post provides examples of how local governments are using technology to make decisions and improve the decision-making process.

1. This Vision Progress Report from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, shows how Fort Lauderdale is using data and performance analytics to examine its progress.  These analytics are used to reveal what programs are working in the vision plan and what other initiatives may need improvement.
2. This Knowledge Network document describes how Michigan local governments are using performance data for decision-making and the effects this is having.
3. ICMA Insights is our cutting-edge performance management and analytics program that utilizes a core set of well-defined and comparable measures to help communities achieve a higher level of operation.
4. Collaborative service delivery is becoming a popular strategy in local governments. This document examines a decision-making tool that the Enhanced Research Partnership (ICMA, the Alliance for Innovation, and Arizona State University’s Center for Urban Innovation) has developed to assist local leaders and staff in deciding if they should expand collaborative efforts.
5. This article from Government Technology examines how using the decision-making software Decision Lens during the budget process produces a more intelligent budget while also being an easy way to make your decisions more transparent.
6. This document explains why public engagement in the budgeting process is critical for local governmental success.  It recommends that local governments use social media to engage their communities.

How do you use technology and data to make decisions in your community? Please post comments below.

Douglas Shontz

Knowledge Network Intern