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How can digital solutions help local governments manage their assets?

Introduction.

Local governments are responsible for managing a variety of assets from public infrastructure to parks and recreation facilities and many more. It can be hard for local governments to find an effective way to manage those assets and keep track of them. Digital solutions offer an opportunity to help local governments of all sizes manage their assets in a more efficient and effective way. Here are four ways digital solutions can help local governments manage their assets:

1. By tracking and managing data related to assets more effectively

Digital solutions can help local governments track and manage asset data more effectively. This includes things like location data, condition data, data about ongoing renovations or restorations, and much more. This data can be used to help make decisions about how to best use and maintain assets. It can also be used to help track progress on projects and flag potential issues.

Let’s look at an example. Say a local government is renovating a park. The digital solution they are using to manage the project can track the location of construction equipment, the people working on the project, the materials being used, and the progress of the work. It can also keep track of costs associated with a project and notify them if something is over budget. This data can be used to make sure the project is on schedule and that there are no issues with things like materials. It can also help the local government track the success of the project once it’s completed. Tracking and managing data is a great example of how digital solutions can help local governments manage their assets.

2. By helping to prevent and manage asset deterioration

Digital solutions can also help local governments prevent and manage asset deterioration. This is important because it can help extend the life of assets and save money in the long run. For example, a digital solution can be used to track the condition of a public building over time. This data can be used to identify potential problems early and take steps to fix them before they become bigger issues. It can also be used to plan for future renovations or repairs. Buildings aren’t the only asset that might see deterioration over time. Public infrastructure like roads and bridges can also deteriorate. Digital solutions can help local governments track the condition of these assets as well and take steps to prevent or manage deterioration. By being able to monitor data about roads and road repairs, the local government will be able to see which roads deteriorate faster than others and if their current road repair schedule is working. This allows them to properly distribute resources to the places in the community that need them most.

3. By improving communication and collaboration

Digital solutions can also help local governments improve communication and collaboration. This is important because it can help make sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to projects or asset management. It can also help save time and money by avoiding duplication of effort. For example, a digital solution can be used to create a central repository for asset data. This data can be accessed by anyone who needs it and it can be updated in real-time. This means that everyone will always have the most up-to-date information about assets. Having this information in one place also makes it easier to share with other departments or agencies that might need it. Digital solutions can also be used to create digital workflows. This can help make sure everyone knows what needs to be done and when it needs to be done. It can also help track progress on projects and flag potential issues. Improving communication and collaboration is an important aspect to consider when improving asset management.

4. By automating asset management processes

Digital solutions can also help local governments automate asset management processes. This is important because it can help save time and money. It can also help improve the accuracy of data. For example, a digital solution can be used to automatically generate work orders for asset maintenance. This means that the local government won’t have to manually create work orders every time something needs to be fixed. The digital solution can also be used to track the progress of work orders and notify the appropriate parties when they are completed. This can help make sure that assets are properly maintained and that everyone is on the same page. Automating asset management processes is a great way to improve efficiency and accuracy and is very easy when utilizing digital solutions properly.

Conclusion 

Digital solutions can help local governments in a variety of ways when it comes to managing their assets. They can help improve communication and collaboration, automate processes, track data, and prevent or manage asset deterioration. All of these things help local governments make the most out of the assets and resources they have.

MyGovLinks is an easy-to-use digital platform that helps local governments manage their assets to the best of their ability. It helps increase communication throughout the government to improve efficiency and effectiveness. It can also help harness the power of data that can be leveraged when considering asset management. For more information about MyGovLinks visit www.mygovlinks.com today.

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Can digital solutions help government employees who work in the field, or are they only for employees who work in the office?

Introduction.

Digital solutions are helping local governments transform the way they work. However, it is common for people to assume that digital solutions are only for people that work at a desk. That is a common misconception about digital solutions. There are lots of ways to utilize digital solutions even when you are away from a desk and working out in the community. By-law officers, parks and recreation staff, and maintenance crews are just some of the community workers who are benefitting from digital solutions despite being away from their desks often. Digital transformation is making it possible for community workers to do their job more efficiently and effectively by properly leveraging digital solutions. We are going to take a look at 3 examples of how digital solutions can help members of local governments even when they are away from their desks.

1. Increase efficiency for code enforcement

By-law officers and code enforcement officers are often out in the community enforcing city regulations. In the past, this meant a lot of paperwork and time spent going back to the office to input data. Now, digital solutions allow by-law officers to fill out forms electronically which saves time and money. Additionally, digital solutions make it possible for by-law officers to take pictures and videos of code violations which can be stored electronically for easy access and reference. This helps to increase efficiency and effectiveness for by-law officers.

 Let’s look at an example. Let’s say a by-law officer is out in the community and notices some graffiti at a local playground. Instead of having to take note of the incident, go back to the office. fill out the required paperwork to repost the graffiti, and request that the graffiti be cleaned. With the help of digital solutions, the by-law officer can now take pictures of graffiti and then report it to the city and request a clean-up instantly from out in the field. The digital solution can also be used to track when graffiti is removed. This helps to ensure that the city is keeping its community clean and helps by-law officers be more efficient, making it possible to do more with the time they have each day. By eliminating redundant tasks, and reducing the need to return to the office, digital solutions can positively impact the way local governments monitor, report, and follow up with infractions in their community.

2. Assist parks and maintenance staff

Parks and recreation staff are responsible for maintaining the city parks and the outside of city buildings. This includes tasks such as mowing the lawn, trimming trees, and checking playgrounds. It also includes winter maintenance such as snow plowing, shoveling, and sanding or salting icy areas. In the past, these workers would often have to use manual methods to do their job which was not only time-consuming but could also be dangerous. Now, with digital solutions, there are new ways to do things that are both efficient and effective. For example, digital solutions can be used for GPS mapping which helps parks and recreation staff know where they have already been as well as which areas still need to be tended to. Another benefit to these digital solutions is that you can have valuable data to prove certain maintenance items have been completed.

For example, in the wintertime, it is common to have longer periods of snowfall that create slippery sidewalks, snow-covered parking lots, and icy public stairways or walkways. It is the responsibility of the city to ensure these areas are cleared of snow and ice to the best of their ability so no one slips and gets hurt. It is however a reality that after tending to certain areas, snow may continue to fall making them slippery and dangerous again although the city has already been there to maintain the area once. Sometimes, in this case, the city may get accused of not maintaining the area at all, however, that is not the case. With the help of digital solutions, local governments will be able to see exactly when the area was maintained, how long the crew member was there, and exactly which sections of the area were tended to. By having that data available, it is easier for city maintenance crews to show that they are doing their work properly, responsibly, and to the best of their abilities.

3. Improving communication with office workers and workers in the field

In the past, it was often difficult for office workers and workers in the field to communicate with each other. This was because they were not always in the same location, and it was not always possible to get in touch with each other right away. With digital solutions, this is no longer an issue. There are now digital solutions that allow workers in the field and workers in the office to communicate at the touch of a button. This improves efficiency and allows office staff to communicate urgent matters to staff members in the field which can be helpful for a number of reasons.

 Let’s look at an example. Let’s say there is a code enforcement officer who is out in the field reviewing a request for a building permit in a local neighborhood. While that code enforcement officer is there, a house in the same neighborhood files an urgent request to rebuild a shed on their property that was damaged during a storm. In the past, the code enforcement officer would have finished the review for the building permit and then returned back to the office, only to find the addition request in the same neighborhood they were just at. Then they would have to get ready and travel back to the same neighborhood to review the second request, wasting time for both themselves and the constituent who filed the request.

 Thanks to digital solutions, that is no longer an issue. Instead, the office worker would simply send a message to the code enforcement officer while they are in the field and let them know instantly that there is another request nearby. They are also able to instantly send them any information they need about the request, and any files they may need to fill out pertaining to the request, all without having to return to the office. This makes it easy for code enforcement officers to tend to as many issues and requests in the community as fast as possible and it helps office staff tend to matter quickly and follow up with ease.

Conclusion 

Digital solutions have helped to change the way local governments operate and the way they serve their communities. By digitizing many of the tasks that need to be completed, local government employees are able to work more efficiently and serve their community better. In addition, digital solutions have also improved communication between office staff and workers in the field, making it easier for them to collaborate and get tasks done more quickly. All of this has helped to make local governments more efficient and responsive to the needs of their communities while utilizing their resources more efficiently.

MyGovLinks is a digital platform designed to connect your local government and your community. This intuitive digital platform helps you streamline processes, increase constituent engagement, and improve the way teams work together within your government. MyGovLinks is easy to use, easy to implement and works from anywhere using any device. For more information about MyGovLinks and how it can help your local government, visit www.mygovlinks.com today 

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Photo by Jerry Wang on Unsplash

How can local governments leverage the power of digital to improve employee satisfaction?

Introduction.

There are many reasons why employees may choose to leave their jobs in local government. In the wake of what some call “the great resignation,” it is essential that local governments look at why local government employees might want to leave their jobs and how they can encourage them to stay. In this article, we will look at some of the common reasons local government employees leave their positions and how digital solutions can help improve their quality of life at work to encourage them to stay.

1. Employees feel they are not making a difference

In a recent survey, 60% of respondents said they would leave their current job if they felt their work was not making a difference. This is a significant issue for local governments who are trying to attract and retain top talent in order to make their communities a better place. One way to address this issue is by using digital solutions to make it easy for employees to see the impact of their work. For example, a case management system can help track the progress of cases from start to finish so that employees can see the difference they are making in real-time.

If government employees are able to see how issues in their community are being solved and follow the process from beginning to end, they will be able to see the direct impact they are having on their community. This also helps because they can see that their efforts are making a difference and that problems are actually being solved instead of passing the issue off and hoping it gets resolved. Digital solutions can make it easy for employees to see exactly how the work they do every day has a positive impact on their community.

2. Employees feel siloed from other departments

In a recent survey, 56% of respondents said that they would leave their current job if they felt like they were not able to collaborate with other departments. This is a common issue in local government where employees can feel isolated from other departments and like their work does not have a direct impact on the success of other departments and the local government as a whole. One way to address this issue is by using digital solutions to facilitate collaboration between departments. For example, a cloud-based document management system can help employees share documents and files with other departments easily and securely.

If government employees are able to collaborate with other departments easily, they will feel like their work has a direct impact on the success of other departments as well as the success of the organization as a whole. Digital solutions can help facilitate collaboration between departments and make it easy for employees to share documents and files, which will help them feel like they are a part of a team and that their work is valuable to the organization and the community.

3. Employees feel they do not have the right tools

In a recent survey, 54% of respondents said that they would leave their current job if they felt they did not have the proper tools and resources to do their job effectively. This is a common issue in local government where employees may not have the proper tools and resources to do their job to the best of their ability. One way to address this issue is by using digital solutions to provide employees with the tools they need to be successful. For example, a document management system can help employees access the documents and files they need from anywhere at any time. It can also help them harness the power of the data they are collecting from those forms and documents.

If government employees have the proper tools and resources to do their job, they will be more likely to stay in their current position. Digital solutions can help provide employees with the tools they need to do their job effectively and make it easier for them to make improvements and solve problems within their organization.

4. Employees feel like they are not being challenged

In a recent survey, 48% of respondents said that they would leave their current job if they felt like they were not being challenged. This is a common issue in local government where employees may feel like they are not being given the opportunity to grow and develop in their position. One way to address this issue is by using digital solutions to provide employees with opportunities to learn and grow. For example, a learning management system can help employees access training and development resources from anywhere at any time. It can also help them track their progress and see how they are doing over time.

If government employees feel like they are being challenged and have the opportunity to learn and grow, they will be more likely to stay in their current position and feel more fulfilled in the work they are doing.

Conclusion 

There are many reasons why local government employees may leave their job. However, there are also many ways to address these issues and keep employees engaged in their work. By using digital solutions to facilitate collaboration, provide proper tools and resources, and offer opportunities for learning and growth, local governments can retain the employees they have and create a more positive work environment.

MyGovLinks is an intuitive digital solution that not only improves the constituent experience, but also the experience of employees within local governments. This tool is powered by MuniLogic and is designed to streamline operations within local governments and empower local government employees to improve their community and feel fulfilled in their job. To learn more about MyGovLinks and how it can help your local government, visit us today at www.mygovlinks.com for more information.

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