Info Tech in a Global Economy - Chapter 2 Summary

ITS 832 Chapter 2

Information Technology in a Global Economy

Professor Miguel Buleje

Introduction

• Educating Policy Managers and Policy Analysts

• Two practitioner types • Policy informatics-savvy public manager

• Policy information analyst

• Needs addressed by two graduate programs • Master of Public Administration (MPA)

• Master of Public Policy (MPP)

• Chapter focus • Role of policy informatics in preparing practitioners

Practitioner Orientations to Policy Informatics

• Two “ideal” types • Policy informatics-savvy public managers • Policy informatics analyst

• Manager • Play important roles in implementation • Instrumental in using policy informatics projects

• Analyst • Execute policy informatics initiatives • Other common role names

• Analyst • Researcher • Modeler • Programmer

Policy Informatics-savvy Manager

• May not need to • Build models • Analyze big data

• Must be able to • Lead personnel who build models and manage big data

• Necessary competencies • Systems thinker • Process orientations to public policy • Research methodologies • Performance/Financial management • Collaborative/communicative • Social media, IT, and e-Governance awareness

Policy Informatics Analyst

• Start with basic competencies of managers

• Additional necessary competencies • Advanced research methods of IT applications

• Data visualization and design

• Programming skills

• Modeling skills • Perhaps one of the most important

Summary

• Two types of practitioners • Managers • Analysts

• Managers • Leadership • Interacting with actors

• Analysts • Technical skills • Responsible for executing requirements

• University ofVermont • Distinct programs to address each role