Our approach
This baseline study is the result of 9 months of work and the main outcome of the initial Explore phase of the ASToN project. To get here, we designed a methodology blending design research with more standard quantitative and qualitative research methods.
Throughout the whole process, we have focused on bringing an objective perspective to the network but more importantly an empathetic one. Work to understand digital maturity and ecosystems can quickly become out of date, and often the statistics and numbers don’t fully uncover the more human elements of government work and digital transformation. As such, we prioritised design and qualitative research over quantitative research.
Phase 1 Explore activities that informed the baseline study included:
• A kick-off meeting in Kampala in October 2019, attended by 9 cities
• 11 city visits (2 of which were replaced by online meetings and interviews, due to the Coronavirus outbreak)
• City visits included interviews, excursions to visit relevant projects or partners, observing local action group meetings, hosting participatory exercises like a stakeholder mapping, facilitating conversations between city officers and their partners using tools like pre-mortem exercises
• An online questionnaire, completed by each of the cities
• Desk research
• Reviewing each city’s original application form
• Phone calls and interviews with city teams
• An iterative approach including two rounds of feedback from the cities and a peer review
Our aim, and our hope is that we have produced something that is as useful as it is insightful. Our true job is to empower Mayors and build the capacities of their teams to take action for the benefit of their citizens. We have designed the research and this output as such.
Terminology used in the ASToN network
9. UNESCO, (2018). A Global Framework of Reference on Digital Literacy Skills for Indicator 4.4.2 http://uis.unesco.org/sites/default/files/docu- ments/ip51-global-framework-reference-digital-literacy-skills-2018-en.pdf
10. ITY, (2017). The ICT Development Index (IDI): conceptual framework and methodology. Retrieved from:https://www.itu.int/en/ITU-D/Statis- tics/Pages/publications/mis2017/methodology.aspx
