Objectives and Scope of the Initiative
The Integrated Activity and Organization Plan (PIAO), effective from July 1, 2022, represents a significant reform for the Italian Public Administration (PA). Introduced by Article 6 of Decree Law No. 80/2021, the PIAO aims to simplify administrative processes and enhance the quality and transparency of public services.
Its ultimate goal is to improve efficiency, effectiveness, productivity, and performance measurement, enabling public entities to focus their actions on generating public value—meaning the real improvement of well-being for citizens, businesses, and stakeholders. The PIAO consolidates several previously required annual documents into a single governance plan, aligning public administration programming with key development decisions and emphasizing outcome-driven management.
Technical Methodology and Operational Approach
PIAO is a unified programming and governance document that replaces seven separate plans previously required of public administrations. It is structured into four main sections: an administrative data sheet; public value, performance, and anti-corruption measures; organization and human capital; and monitoring.
The plan covers a three-year period and must be updated annually and submitted by January 31st, within 30 days of budget approval. There are two versions of the PIAO: a comprehensive one for administrations with more than 50 employees, and a simplified version for smaller entities. The plan encourages a strategic approach to planning that integrates performance management, governance, risk and compliance, project management, and stakeholder engagement, all supported by technology to ensure comprehensive data oversight and process efficiency.
Key Challenges and Solutions adopted
A primary challenge is ensuring that administrations view the PIAO as more than a formal obligation, instead adopting it as a tool for genuine self-assessment and improvement aligned with the European Common Assessment Framework (CAF). To meet this, the plan emphasizes public value creation as its core principle, requiring administrations to define expected outcomes, simplify procedures, and identify actions that positively impact the well-being of the community.
The use of technology is critical to overcoming operational burdens, enabling administrations to consolidate and control quantitative and qualitative data effectively, thus maximizing the plan’s potential to drive sustainable value creation.
Impact and Measurable Results
While still early in its implementation, the PIAO is positioned to deliver significant benefits by fostering a culture of results-oriented public management. It provides administrations with a clear, integrated view of their performance and governance activities over a medium-term horizon, enabling continuous monitoring and adjustment.
The strategic integration of performance management, risk mitigation, project control, and stakeholder engagement under one framework is expected to lead to improved administrative efficiency, transparency, and better public outcomes.
Implications
The PIAO establishes a new paradigm for public sector planning and governance in Italy, centered on generating sustainable public value for citizens, businesses, and the environment. It calls for a shift toward proactive, technology-supported management approaches, promoting accountability and continuous improvement. To fully realize its benefits, administrations must embrace the PIAO strategically, leveraging its integrated structure and technological support to drive social, economic, and environmental advantages across the public sector. [source]
Contact point for GOVERNANCE project: Antonio Caforio, CINI
