Office of Urban Innovation

About

The Office of Urban Innovation is committed to creating an infrastructure where we begin to look at innovative ways to improve service delivery and get Worcester moving in the direction of creating a Smart City. This includes data analytics, process engineering, performance measures and Smart-Cities solutions, all designed to boost customer service and save taxpayer money through greater accountability and improved efficiency.

This office will focus on three main objectives:

1. Develop performance management processes with departments.
• Design and establish a performance measure program, which will use data to understand and measure areas of underperformance and improve service throughout city government.
• Design and establish an Open Data Portal and Dashboard for greater transparency and communication with the public.
2. Create and establish LEAN Management Principles to address some of the City's most challenging operational and customer service issues.
3. Create a Smart Cities team that works on innovative solutions using technology to leverage new opportunities and development.

Programs & Initiatives

Open Data Portal - Informing Worcester
Informing Worcester is the City's new open data portal. Functional transparency is a primary focus for Informing Worcester; however, it is also intended to become a platform upon which to showcase the City's data driven approach to meeting its challenges and strategic goals.

Open Data Policy
Worcester recognizes Open Government as a key means for enabling public participation and effective government. The City is committed to expanding the data available to the public and providing the tools necessary for understanding and interpreting it.

GovQA - Public Records Request Portal
GovQA is an online public records request portal where the public can request municipal records maintained by the City of Worcester. It provides users with easy, fast and secure accessibility to public records. GovQA complements the City of Worcester's focus on transparency.

Municipal Service Center
The City of Worcester is pleased to offer an easy to access municipal office location in the heart of Main South, which offers many popular services. Additionally, the extended office hours until 7 p.m. Monday through Friday ensures you'll be able to access these services when it's convenient for you!

City of Worcester Strategic Plan
The City of Worcester Strategic Plan, developed and launched in fiscal year 2020 after public input through formatted focus groups and a City-wide survey, is a key complement to the City's future Master Plan and the Worcester Public Schools' Strategic Plan.