Developed by GCNELPT the Sistema de Monitorização do Plano Tecnológico – SM.PT (Technological Plan Monitoring System) is a reference in its area.

 

Four components

The model had four components, integrated among them: strategic alignment, operational coordination, operational monitoring based on business intelligence and automated reporting.

The strategic alignment component aimed to:

1. Ensure the measures alignment with the technological plan strategic objectives;
2. Analyse the evolution of impact indicators against the measures that contribute to them;
3. Define appropriate monitoring levels for each measure;
4. Strengthening alignment with other action plans;
5. Evaluate cause-and-effect processes.

 

Operational coordination

The operational coordination component had the following objectives:

1. Ensure procedural organizational support, promoting articulation between the involved entities;
2. Ensure the permanent and reliable collection of information on each measure;
3. Ensure commitment and accountability for execution and reporting

 

Monitoring

The monitoring component aimed to:

1. Automate the compilation and presentation of information on the implementation of the various measures;
2. To permit the permanent measurement of the state of the measures generic execution and the specifics of each one;
3. Maintain the focus on critical priorities and activities;
4. Support the definition of corrective actions and the permanent reassessment of the policies and measures advocated.

The reporting and communication component had the following objectives:

1. Enable regular reporting based on accurate and reliable data;
2. Enable smooth, permanent and transparent communication

 

Root model

For Nuno Cavaco, partner at LBC’s office in Lisbon at the time, a monitoring system is effective only if it is supported in advance by a rigorous definition of the strategic objectives to be achieved, and by the identification of indicators that rely on data that is easy to collect, highly reliable and with relevance to monitoring.

Operationally, the SM.PT was based, initially, on the online and decentralized completion of a “measurement sheet” by each measurement manager in the various Portuguese Ministries. The data introduced feed into the monitoring system which allowed online viewing, analytical reports and situation reports by the Prime Minister’s office, all Ministers cabinets, the ministerial coordinators and the managers of each measure.

The system also allowed the issuance of standardized reports and online queries on performance by project, by Ministry, by axis, by sector, as well as relevant implementation factors and corrective actions to be undertaken.

The monitoring system was based on a model designed and developed by LBC on Microsoft software and programmed by Novabase.

 

Mobilizing idea

The technological plan assumed that, in order to recover ground, Portugal needed to evolve into a new competitive model, taking advantage of the opportunity, for the first time in its history, to position itself decisively in the first line of the technological revolution.

The technological plan was thus a mobilizing idea, an agenda of priorities (112 measures) and a political commitment to promote the development and competitiveness of the country through a focus on knowledge (38 measures), technology (24 measures) and innovation (50 measures).

A bet on five transverse focus of action:

1. A strengthened scientific and technological base;
2. A better ordering of the competitive base;
3. A modern public administration;
4. A business-friendly environment;
5. Qualified population.

 

10 challenges and solutions

These five priorities give place to 10 challenges and solutions that focus on the 112 measures:

1. To put Portugal on the front line of broadband coverage;
2. To contribute for families to benefit from the access to the information society;
3. Strengthen the internationalization of the scientific system;
4. Make the job market more efficient;
5. Facilitate the relationship between citizens and the public administration;
6. Facilitate the relationship between companies and the public administration;
7. To support innovative companies;
8. Endow companies with young and qualified staff;
9. To prepare the younger generations for the knowledge society;
10. Requalify the assets to improve the Portuguese level of qualifications.

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