A Critical Analysis of the Implementation of the One Data Indonesia Policy in Supporting Digital Governance Transformation

Figure Ilustration AI

FORMOSA NEWS - Jakarta - One Data Indonesia Policy Drives Digital Governance Transformation Amid Infrastructure and Capacity Hurdles. Published in 2026, a comprehensive study conducted by researchers b investigates the practical implementation of the One Data Indonesia Policy in advancing national digital governance transformation. Examining how standardized data management influences public administration, the research evaluates how integrated digital platforms reshape governmental transparency, accountability, and evidence-based decision-making across central and regional institutions. As governments worldwide transition toward digital-first public services, understanding the real-world successes and operational friction points of national data policies is essential for creating responsive, citizen-centric public sectors.

Background and Relevance
In the modern digital era, effective data governance serves as the foundational pillar for transparent, efficient, and accountable public administration. Governments increasingly rely on synchronized information systems to streamline public services, reduce administrative redundancies, and foster evidence-based policymaking. In Indonesia, the institutionalization of the One Data Indonesia Policy addresses historical challenges of data fragmentation and inconsistent information standards across ministries, government agencies, and local administrations. This framework directly supports the broader Electronic-Based Government System (SPBE) mandate. However, prior disruptions to public digital infrastructure and persistent regional disparities highlight that technological modernization alone is insufficient without robust, secure, and well-coordinated institutional data mechanisms.

Research Methodology

To evaluate the practical outcomes of the policy, the researchers employed a qualitative descriptive case study approach combined with a policy analysis framework. Data collection involved an in-depth examination of government regulations, policy reports, and official documentation, supplemented by semi-structured interviews with 10 key informants. These participants comprised government officials responsible for data governance, data management unit representatives, information technology practitioners, and public policy experts. Using purposive sampling, the authors gathered critical insights into institutional practices, inter-agency coordination hurdles, and technical barriers. The collected interview transcripts and documentary evidence were processed and categorized using NVivo 14 software through a rigorous interactive process of data condensation, thematic display, and verification.

Key Findings
The study revealed notable advancements across several dimensions of public data management, alongside persistent structural challenges:

• Enhanced Data Integration: The adoption of common data standards and metadata structures has successfully reduced dataset inconsistencies and minimized data duplication across multiple government institutions. Centralized digital platforms have significantly improved overall data accessibility.
  
• Strengthened Inter-Agency Coordination: Regular coordination forums and technical working groups have fostered more frequent communication and structured collaboration between data producers, custodians, and policy-making agencies.
  
• Boosted Data-Driven Decision-Making: Access to reliable, standardized datasets has provided public officials with a dependable foundation for planning, monitoring, and evaluating policy initiatives, driving a transition toward evidence-based governance.
  
• Human Resource Bottlenecks: Technical competencies in data analytics, system management, and digital platform utilization remain uneven, with regional agencies frequently facing severe shortages of specialized IT personnel and limited training opportunities.
  
• Infrastructure and Interoperability Constraints: Differences in software architectures, technical standards, and data formats prevent seamless system compatibility, often requiring manual adjustments to bridge information gaps.
  
• Governance and Cultural Resistance: Variations in institutional commitment, inconsistent int
  rpretation of guidelines, and organizational preference for sectoral silos occasionally hinder cross-agency collaboration.
  

Implications and Real-World Impact
The findings carry profound implications for policymakers, public administrators, and civic stakeholders aiming to optimize digital government frameworks. While the One Data Indonesia Policy provides an essential foundation for a unified public sector, realizing its full potential requires targeted strategic interventions. Government institutions must prioritize continuous professional training programs to elevate data literacy and technical competencies among civil servants. Furthermore, targeted investments in secure digital infrastructure and national interoperability frameworks are critical to bridging regional divides and eliminating manual data-sharing bottlenecks. Cultivating a collaborative institutional culture that transcends bureaucratic silos will ultimately ensure transparent, accountable, and sustainable public service delivery.

Author Profiles
Mohamad Kusnaeni: Researcher specializing in public administration, data governance, and policy implementation at Universitas Prof. Dr. Moestopo (Beragama), Jakarta.
Harry Nenobais: Researcher specializing in public policy, information systems, and digital governance at Universitas Prof. Dr. Moestopo (Beragama), Jakarta.

Source
Mohamad Kusnaeni, Harry Nenobais. A Critical Analysis of the Implementation of the One Data Supporting Digital Governance Transformation in Indonesia. Asian Journal of Management Analytics (AJMA), Vol. 5, No. 4, hlm. 837–854.
DOI / Tautan Resmi: https://doi.org/10.55927/ajma.v5i4.17046
URL Resmi: https://journal.formosapublisher.org/index.php/ajma