On January 30, the Hanoi Department of Home Affairs, the Hanoi Department of Science and Technology, the University of Economics under the Vietnam National University – Hanoi, G-Group Corporation and iBPO Joint Stock Company together signed a memorandum of understanding on consulting and deploying an OKR- and KPI-based work management system.

Observers assessed the memorandum signing among the four parties as an important starting point to mobilize resources and connect knowledge and technology, aiming to research, train and deploy modern management models while standardizing and digitizing work data.

The Memorandum of Understanding will help improve management and administration efficiency and promote science, technology, innovation and digital transformation in Hanoi in the coming period, in line with the spirit and objectives set out in Resolution 57.

Cu Ngoc Trang, Director of the Hanoi Department of Science and Technology, emphasized that one of the key goals identified in Plan No. 20 of the City Party Committee's Steering Committee for implementing Politburo Resolution 57 is to fundamentally transform governance methods from experience-based to data-driven management.

In this context, the memorandum signing does not represent a routine professional cooperation activity but serves as an initial pilot to explore more suitable approaches to public-sector work management.

According to Trang, in the business sector, especially within large corporations, OKR and KPI serve as "vital" tools because every working minute directly links to cost and efficiency.

This philosophy increasingly proves relevant in the public sector, since the state operates with public resources and the administrative apparatus must deliver productivity that meets societal expectations.

However, the challenge goes beyond measuring productivity. More importantly, measurement must genuinely support officials in performing tasks while enabling leaders at all levels to monitor work more closely and in a timelier manner.

From this perspective, OKR and KPI function as management tools that shift the focus from "how much work is done" to "what is achieved and what value is created."

Trang frankly noted that deploying OKR and KPI in the public sector poses difficulties because it directly affects work habits, task assignment methods, monitoring approaches and organizational culture.

Therefore, the Hanoi Department of Science and Technology has chosen a gradual approach that includes piloting and evaluation, without haste and draws on experience from academic institutions and the business community.

Within this framework, the "triple helix" linkage model of government, universities and enterprises has emerged as a suitable solution for sustainable implementation.

Under the memorandum, the Hanoi Department of Science and Technology acts as the agenda setter and facilitator during implementation.

The University of Economics under the Vietnam National University – Hanoi participates in research and consulting to build an objectives framework and indicators tailored to public-sector characteristics.

Meanwhile, iBPO Joint Stock Company provides solutions that ensure user-friendly, secure systems with flexible adjustment during application.

Trang said that immediately after the signing, partners will pilot the cooperation at several units, including the Hanoi Party Committee's Organization Commission, the Hoan Kiem Ward Party Committee and People's Committee, the Hanoi Department of Home Affairs, the Tu Liem Ward People's Committee and the Hanoi Department of Science and Technology.

The pilot will follow a "learn by doing" approach to assess suitability and effectiveness before considering broader rollout across the system.

Trang added that initial expectations include clearer and more transparent work tracking, better support for both leaders and officials during task execution and gradual formation of a new working and emulation culture within public agencies.

Notably, the guiding principle of OKR and KPI deployment focuses on motivating better performance rather than creating formal pressure and on measuring to support officials rather than burden them.

"We do not deploy OKR and KPI to score officials, but to turn personnel evaluation into a management lever that better serves leadership, direction and administration for the people", Trang said.

From the academic perspective, Nguyen Truc Le, Party Secretary and Chairman of the University Council of the University of Economics under the Vietnam National University – Hanoi, said the signing marked not only professional cooperation but also a milestone in changing mindsets in administrative reform.

"This is where management science, technology and government come together to address the core question of how to measure, govern and improve the effectiveness of public administration in a practical, transparent and sustainable way," he said.