Critical success factors in implementing information technology governance in federal public administration

Abstract

The aim of the research was to identify the critical success factors (CSF) in the implementation of IT governance (ITG), in the Brazilian federal public administration (FPA). The critical factors in the implantation of the GTI were extracted from the literature. Using the Delphi method, experts were asked to indicate the degree of criticality of each factor. The CSF considered were those that obtained consensus and presented smaller variation of the results. Ten CSF have been identified, which are: top management should continually support deployment; the implementation of the ITG must be decided by senior management; align IT with business; there must be efficient communication and cooperation between stakeholders; identify and engage key stakeholders; start with some processes; IT resource management must have a strategic dimension in the organization; retain key people for deployment; empower IT staff to embrace change; and, monitor legal compliance. The ten FCS were presented, through a focus group, to managers of organizations belonging to the FPA to give their opinion on their relevance in this context. As a result, it was found that senior management-related CSF were considered to be the most relevant and that identified CSF were adherent to the FPA context.