While the State of Geneva wants to invest more than a billion francs in the digital transition, the Court of Auditors was interested in the post-building authorization process of the Territorial Department (DT). She notes a lack of vision on the gains due to technology.
The digital transition is one of the major objectives of the legislature, magistrate François Paychère reminded the media on Tuesday. In this first report, the Court of Auditors looked at the processes that take place after the issuance of building authorizations, in order to assess whether the advantages and potential of digital tools are fully exploited.
“The Territorial Department constitutes a testing ground for the digital transition in the State,” noted Mr. Paychère. The digitalization of the activities of the building permit office is underway, and it is financed by the high sum of 12 million francs. This project also concerns two important public policies: planning and housing as well as the environment and energy.
“No will”
The IT project in the strict sense is well carried out, considers the Court. Today, 96% of applications are submitted electronically, to the great satisfaction of architects and project owners. But digitalization should not be limited to simply resuming paper-based processes. “It should allow better use of data,” underlined Mr. Paychère.
However, the Court notes a lack of reflection and vision from the various services on the expected gains in terms of efficiency, in particular concerning controls. Of the six recommendations in the report, the DT also refused the one which aims to optimize the management of construction controls and infractions using digital tools. “There is no desire on the part of the DT to do more,” commented the magistrate.
Two very high priority recommendations concern the development of Building Information Modeling technology, for which funds are provided. This technology, which is used to design a building, control its construction and facilitate its maintenance, does not, however, meet needs in the context of post-building authorization processes. The Court therefore invites the DT to review its strategic vision and governance in this area.
Teachings
The Court of Auditors draws several lessons from the case examined. In a letter to State Councilor Carole-Anne Kast, president of the digital transition and e-administration delegation, she notes the need for the State to have a clear vision of the objective targeted by the digitalization and to think about the expected return on investment.
This article was automatically published. Source: ats
Related News :