Traditionally, administrative services are often linked to applications: benefits such as child benefit, housing benefit or identity cards are only granted following an active request. This approach often leads to long waiting times and a high level of red tape. ‘Push government’ fundamentally redesigns this process: state benefits are offered automatically and tailored to individual needs – even before citizens have to submit an application.
This proactive provision not only removes bureaucratic hurdles but also ensures deadlines are met more reliably and individual needs are taken into account at an early stage. In this way, the state provides its citizens with tailored support whilst simultaneously reducing the administrative burden.
Greater efficiency and reduced workload
A key advantage of the ‘push government’ approach lies in the reduced workload for administrative staff. Routine tasks can be handled efficiently through automated processes, leaving staff with more capacity to deal with complex and individual cases. This reduction in workload is a major benefit for the entire administration, particularly in light of the shortage of skilled workers.
The key benefits at a glance:
- Reduction in bureaucratic processes: Automated workflows reduce the administrative burden.
- Faster processing times: Digital processes enable administrative tasks to be dealt with swiftly.
- Greater transparency and personalisation: With the help of modern technologies such as AI and big data, services are tailored precisely to citizens’ needs.
- Reduced workload for staff: The elimination of repetitive tasks leaves more time for advisory and solution-oriented activities.
Challenges of digital transformation and their solutions
Of course, the transition to a proactive public administration also brings challenges. Data protection, technical infrastructure and the complex federal structure must be taken into account. It is also important to address any reservations people may have about automated processes.
This is where modern solutions come into play:
- Voluntary opt-out models: Citizens can decide for themselves whether they wish to be included in the proactive service.
- User-centred design: High-quality, intuitive digital services build trust – comparable to the convenience many people experience when shopping online.
- Innovative technologies: The targeted use of AI, machine learning and big data enables a flexible and scalable implementation of the ‘push government’ concept.
Eight key dimensions for successful implementation
The success of ‘push government’ rests on a series of key building blocks which, together, enable sustainable change within public administration:
- Needs-based selection of services: Services are identified and prioritised from the citizens’ perspective.
- Proactive targeting of specific groups: Automated systems assess eligibility criteria and offer relevant information and services in a targeted manner.
- Best-practice approaches: Lessons learnt from successful EU projects enable rapid and effective results.
- Modern analytics and AI platforms: Cloud-based technologies provide flexible and future-proof services.
- Optimised interaction: Tailor-made digital services simplify communication between the state and citizens.
- Shorter processing times: Efficient automation reduces the time taken to complete administrative processes.
- Reducing bureaucracy: Fewer administrative hurdles encourage participation in government services and strengthen trust.
- Internal modernisation: The internal structures of the administration, for example in the areas of data protection, technology and data networking, are also being continuously developed.
Conclusion: Towards a citizen- and staff-friendly administration through ‘Push Government’
‘Push government’ represents a forward-looking approach to public administration that delivers administrative services proactively, efficiently and in a user-centred manner. The automated provision of services benefits not only citizens but also administrative staff, who benefit from being relieved of routine tasks and being able to focus on complex issues.
Digital transformation holds enormous potential: transparent, fast and personalised services strengthen trust in the state and contribute to a modern public administration. With an established AI and technology ecosystem and experienced teams, the ‘Push Government’ approach from Materna and Infora is the ideal key to making public administration future-proof – for all stakeholders.
