Exploring the Municipal Technology Model: A Framework for Effective Technology Strategy
Transforming a city’s technology landscape can seem like an overwhelming task, but at Perry Group, we’ve been dedicated to making this process both manageable and impactful for over a decade. Our cornerstone framework, the Municipal Technology Model (MTM), has played a pivotal role in guiding municipalities through their technology journeys. Today, we’re thrilled to share how the MTM is not just a tool, but a transformative framework that reshapes municipal technology management.
The MTM is designed around four essential layers, each playing a crucial role in creating a cohesive technology strategy:
Platform: The foundation of the MTM is the Platform layer, representing the core technology infrastructure. This includes essential components like internet connectivity, email systems, and data storage. Imagine this as the bedrock upon which everything else is built. A strong platform ensures that all technology components function smoothly, providing reliable connectivity and storage necessary for other systems to operate effectively. Without this solid foundation, everything built on top is prone to instability.
Business Solutions: Once the foundation is established, the next layer involves the tools and applications used to manage municipal operations. This includes systems for handling finances, permits, asset management, and more. Streamlining these solutions helps municipalities enhance efficiency, reduce complexity, and ensure smooth operations. By consolidating and rationalizing applications, we break down silos between teams, simplify management, and make it easier for municipalities to handle their varied functions cohesively.
Integration & Data: The Integration & Data layer is focused on connecting different systems and analyzing the data they generate. Effective integration ensures seamless data flow between systems, while robust data analysis enables municipalities to make informed decisions. This layer is crucial for optimizing performance and achieving strategic objectives. By analyzing data from various sources, municipalities can uncover insights that drive better decision-making and improve overall effectiveness.
Customer Services: At the top of the MTM is the Customer Services layer, which involves the technology that supports interactions with residents and stakeholders. This includes online services for booking appointments, reporting issues, managing tax accounts, and more. The goal is to provide residents with convenient access to services while ensuring that the underlying systems can support these interactions reliably and efficiently.
One of the key aspects of the MTM is its ability to create visual scorecards that help municipalities assess their current technology state and set future goals. These scorecards simplify the communication of progress and investment priorities to leadership and stakeholders. They offer a clear, visual representation of where a municipality stands and where improvements are needed. The MTM is adaptable and evolves with technological advancements, incorporating emerging technologies like AI and IoT to ensure its continued relevance.
Over the years, the Municipal Technology Model (MTM) has been an integral part of our work at Perry Group, providing a structured approach to technology management. Its comprehensive framework and visual tools have proven invaluable in enhancing technology strategies for municipalities.
In a significant step toward advancing municipal technology management, we’re excited to announce that we’re making the MTM diagram available under a Creative Commons license. This decision allows other consulting firms and municipalities to use the MTM to articulate their technology strategies, provided they acknowledge it as a Perry Group product.
By sharing the MTM, we aim to extend its benefits to a broader audience and support the municipal technology community in developing effective technology strategies. Understanding and applying the four layers of the MTM allows municipalities to better assess their technology needs, communicate their strategies, and make informed investment decisions. Our goal is to foster collaboration and leverage the MTM to drive meaningful advancements, improving technology solutions for communities across the country and empowering municipalities to fully utilize their technology, leading to smarter, more connected, and resilient communities.