The Snapshot
1
Development of the Transparency Portal for the Regional Government of the Azores, ensuring detailed public access to relevant governance information.
2
Achieved the Silver Seal from the Agency for Administrative Modernisation (AMA), highlighting the high standards used in UX/UI, accessibility, and usability.
3
Improved participatory citizenship and public trust through an intuitive, secure, and fully accessible digital experience.
About the Customer
The Regional Government of the Azores is the executive body responsible for the public administration of the Autonomous Region of the Azores, a Portuguese administrative entity made up of nine islands in the Atlantic Ocean, with a resident population of 236,413. Formally established in 1976 following regional autonomy, in 2024 it employed 20,035 staff within an administrative framework that includes various regional secretariats and departments managing areas like health, education, finance, agriculture, environment, and tourism. The organisational structure of the Regional Government of the Azores allows it to exercise specific administrative and legislative powers, tailored to the unique geographical, economic, and social characteristics of the island region.
The challenge of the Transparency Portal began with the short timeframe available for its completion: in 6 months, we had to ensure the design of technical and functional requirements, execute the public procurement process, and contract and work with the technology partner to make the publication of the Transparency Portal happen.
The challenge turned into success, to which Devoteam Portugal greatly contributed. By presenting agile technological options, among which the low-code OutSystems platform stands out, and providing an experienced, knowledgeable, and diligent team, we were able to manage the project with Devoteam in an agile way, and thus achieve the expected result effectively within the defined timeframe.
The Transparency Portal represents the first digital service of the Azores Government specifically dedicated to the public exploration of structured government data. The project has paved the way for Open Data in the Azores; its effects are now also being felt in the new approach of the GRA entities to governance and the opening of public data.
Lisa Ventura Garcia
Head of Division – Regional Directorate for Communications and Digital Transition
The Challenge
The Regional Government of the Azores identified challenges regarding transparency and citizens’ access to information on regional governance. Previous processes relied on fragmented information scattered across multiple systems and formats, making it difficult for citizens to access essential data, such as appointments to senior positions and the composition of government cabinets. Furthermore, existing interfaces lacked intuitive navigation, which led to low public engagement and limited transparency efforts.
The Goal
The primary goal was to centralise and streamline access to essential regional governance information on a single, easy-to-use digital platform. The aim was to boost transparency and accountability, foster public trust, ensure compliance with accessibility standards, and provide an optimised, intuitive, and accessible user experience for everyone, including citizens with special needs.
The Solution
Devoteam developed the Transparency Portal using the OutSystems platform, chosen specifically for its rapid development capabilities, robust security, and superior UX/UI flexibility. Development prioritised user-centred design principles, adhering to best practices defined by WCAG guidelines and portuguese accessibility standards.
Implementation occurred in close collaboration with the Government’s internal teams to clearly identify and categorise essential information. The methodology applied by the partner allowed for agility and rapid iterations based on user feedback during development. Initial success indicators included positive user feedback, immediate improvements in engagement metrics, and recognition through the AMA Silver Seal certification, confirming high standards of usability and accessibility.
The data source that feeds the Transparency Portal is the CKAN platform. CKAN is an open data management solution widely used by various public entities, both nationally and internationally, enabling the management of data sets (also known as datasets).
On this platform, users from the involved entities can update the data within these sets and their corresponding metadata, including descriptions, titles, supplementary documentation, among other relevant elements.
Data synchronisation between CKAN and the Portal was implemented using the REST API layer provided by CKAN. This process aims to import the data sets as well as their associated metadata. During synchronisation, key performance indicators (KPIs) are also calculated, which then populate the charts section for each data set available on the Transparency Portal.
Duarte Oliveira
OutSystems Lead Architect – Devoteam Portugal
The Methodology
Devoteam employed an agile development methodology combined with user-centred design principles. Initial workshops were held with stakeholders to precisely map user journeys and information architecture. The methodology prioritised iterative development with continuous usability testing, incorporating direct feedback to constantly improve the user experience. AMA guidelines regarding usability and accessibility were fundamental parameters, ensuring full compliance with best practices in public administration digital services.
Results & Next Steps
1
Significant improvement in public access and engagement with government information, evidenced by increased portal traffic and reduced information search time.
2
Achieved AMA’s Silver Seal certification, validating compliance with high standards of digital accessibility and usability.
3
Increased citizen trust and transparency in access to government information.
Following the implementation, the following key impacts stand out:
Compliance with accessibility standards
Successfully meeting the rigorous criteria of AMA certification ensures that all citizens, including those with special needs, can effectively use the portal.
User Engagement
Optimised UX/UI design enhances the end-user’s utilisation and engagement with the portal.
Operational Efficiency
The centralisation and optimisation of information contributed to more agile internal management of government data, reducing manual tasks and improving the organisation of information made available to the public.