Administrative data systems are the backbone of effective governance and informed decision-making. They offer valuable insights for improving public services and resource allocation. Yet despite global investment in these systems, many countries continue to face challenges with issues related to the timely, ethical and efficient use of data.
Now, a significant step forward has been taken with the introduction of the digitized UNICEF Administrative Data Maturity Model (ADaMM). This platform is designed to facilitate assessment and strengthening of governments’ administrative data systems to provide reliable administrative data for informed decision-making and enhanced service delivery for children.
ADaMM at a glance
The Administrative Data Maturity Model (ADaMM) is a pivotal tool for countries to assess and benchmark the maturity of their administrative data systems. It provides a valuable resource to gauge efficiency and identify areas of improvement, yielding insights that can aid in more efficient resource allocation. While ADaMM can be used to assess an administrative data system within a particular sector, it also serves as a cross-sector model, offering a comprehensive perspective on the entire administrative data landscape. ADaMM can be used to support initiatives that span across multiple administrative data systems, such as the integration of multiple data systems, conducting population e-census and informing broader national planning for statistical landscape development. In these scenarios, ADaMM establishes a unified assessment framework spanning all administrative data systems.
The anticipated benefits of the digitized platform
The digitized ADaMM platform offers a range of benefits. It enhances accessibility and usability for staff in government ministries, departments and agencies. It also fosters information sharing and learning and hosts an extensive resource library with guidance, standards, reports and case studies. This library empowers users to access resource materials for addressing their investment priorities. The widespread adoption of ADaMM has the potential to support governments, UNICEF and partners to strengthen administrative data systems. ADaMM enables donors to assess a country’s investment capacity. It also aids with monitoring national and global goals including the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Alignment with the global data agenda
As we reach the midpoint of the Sustainable Development Goal Agenda, the role of data in accelerating progress towards the SDGs has gained increased attention. The Power of Data High Impact Initiative (HII) urges countries to demonstrate progress by increasing the availability of SDG data to ninety per cent by 2027. This initiative underscores the importance of harnessing national data partnerships to drive timely, ethical and efficient data use. This shared vision aligns with UNICEF’s work alongside governments ministries, departments and agencies to strengthen administrative data systems to generate reliable data. The digitized ADaMM platform simplifies the assessment of administrative data landscapes to inform national data strategies and enhances collaboration by facilitating cross-country and partner learning.
A global data effort
ADaMM has already proven successful in assessing administrative data systems across multiple sectors in countries like Namibia, Oman, Liberia, Bangladesh, Nepal and West and Central Africa. UNICEF remains dedicated to collaborating with more countries to leverage the ADaMM model. This collaboration aims to assess and guide better investments to strengthen administrative data systems, drive data-driven decision-making, and secure a brighter future for children around the world.
