How can we make the State more efficient, modern, and capable of delivering better services to the population, without losing sight of the quality of public service and the appreciation of public servants?

Discussions about administrative reforms are once again at the center of Brazilian political debate as discussions in Congress advance and retreat under fundamental questions – how to make the State more efficient, modern, and capable of delivering better services to the population, without losing sight of the quality of public services and the appreciation of public servants? 

In 2020, Constitutional Amendment Proposal (PEC) 32/2020 shed light on possible structural changes to the rules governing public administration. Other previous proposals had also explored this path, seeking to structure points for reforming the public administrative system. The fact is that this is an evolving agenda, still under analysis by the Legislative and Executive branches. The current proposal's main points include performance evaluation for civil servants, restructuring of positions and functions, digital transformation, greater salary transparency, and career reorganization. Some see it as an opportunity for modernization, while others point to risks of precarious working conditions for civil servants. 

For Juliana Cardoso, a RenovaBR alumna and current Executive Secretary of Economic Development for the State of São Paulo, the modernization of the State needs to begin with the logic of delivery. "The modernization agenda must focus on improving delivery to the citizen," she states. According to her, a modern State organizes its structures with clarity and responsibility, reducing overlaps between agencies, addressing gray areas of responsibilities, and eliminating bureaucracies that do not add value. 

For Juliana, digitizing processes means redesigning workflows and simplifying access to services, making them faster, more predictable, and more transparent. Furthermore, she argues that the reform needs to align with goals, performance indicators, and instruments that value merit and skills. Instead of focusing efforts on repetitive tasks, public administration should invest in technology. 

Efficiency, digital transformation, and a focus on results: what's at stake in the reform?

In São Paulo, part of this reorganization has already begun. There has been a leveling of commissioned careers, with a clearer differentiation between advisory and leadership positions, in addition to the internal reorganization of the Secretariat of Economic Development. Juliana explains that the department consolidated areas that were fragmented and structured its actions around several pillars – economic and regional development; entrepreneurship and productivity; and productive inclusion and employability. Internally, the change was made to focus on deliverables and restructure priorities. In her assessment, the reform undoubtedly improves the capacity to execute services and the quality of deliverables.

“When we present a state with well-provided services, clear information, and transparency, we create an environment more prepared to receive investments,” he states. Administrative reform cannot be separated from economic development. In his view, a state with redundant activities and overlapping responsibilities tends to increase operational and regulatory costs, discouraging investment. On the other hand, results-oriented structures, with regulatory stability and predictability, strengthen the business environment.

However, Juliana is keen to point out that modernization is not simply about cutting costs and reducing staff. “It’s not about reducing for the sake of reducing. It’s about putting the right people in the right places, with defined tasks and a focus on delivery,” she explains. For her, strengthening governance and professionalizing public management is the way to increase productivity and reduce the so-called “Brazil cost.”

Therefore, the narrative needs to go beyond fiscal adjustment. "It's not just an adjustment. It's about getting the machine running efficiently," he summarizes. Adopting evaluation tools, valuing good civil servants, and improving management to expand the capacity to implement public policies are instruments that the reform seeks to utilize.