United States
Jorge Elorza
180,393 (2017)
Emmanuel Echevarria
Improve internal government operations
Save costs and improve efficiency within the public sector
Simplify administrative procedures for firms and residents
Focus on measurement
Human resource support
Leadership from Mayor
Culture of innovation in city
Support from outside city administration
Providence’s Innovation Department holds LEAN training quarterly to employees throughout the City to offer professional development and spread a culture of innovation. The LEAN trainings have shown great return on investment as the cohorts have exceeded the planned estimate by 423%. The training focuses on process improvement and capacity building for metrics and data measurement, recognizing that being more data-driven offers better results.
Note: The City Innovation Snapshot (PDF version) was produced in 2019 and some aggregate findings have been updated with the latest survey results below.
Along with 50% of cities surveyed, Providence does not have an explicit innovation strategy. Similar to 20% of cities surveyed, Providence approaches innovation capacity from a holistic/macro level.
Providence does not prioritise policy sectors for its innovation work.
Situated in the Information Technology (IT) department, Providence’s innovation work is being led by the Chief Innovation and Performance Officer, and 2 staff members.
Taking risks or testing new ideas
Data-driven analytics/public data management
Engaging residents in new ways
Developing new solutions based on digital technologies
Organizational change within the municipality
Human-centered design
Rethinking your city’s approach to financing partnerships
Its innovation activities also include engaging residents in new ways; facilitating organizational change within the municipal administration; promoting human-centered design; and rethinking the city’s approach to financing and partnerships.
Like 81% of cities surveyed, Providence has dedicated funding to support innovation capacity.
Providence also invests in digital systems.
Providence has developed partnerships to promote its innovation capacity with other public agencies, private firms, not-for-profit organizations, and city residents/resident associations.
To improve data use, the city has also developed partnerships with academia, think tanks, and philanthropy to collect and analyze data, as well as with other cities.