iPlan Gov: A Smart Analytics System for Decision-Support in Local Government Planning and Development

This study aimed to design, develop, and evaluate iPlan Gov, a localized, analytics-driven decision-support framework and digital system for the Planning and Development Office (PDO) of a Local Government Unit (LGU) in Nueva Ecija, developed in response to the contextual planning and governance needs of Philippine LGUs. Using a descriptive-developmental research design, 14 respondents assessed the system’s technical quality, usability, acceptability, and effectiveness based on ISO 9126 software quality standards. Assessment of the existing planning process revealed strong institutional coordination, defined staff roles, and effective planning practices; however, gaps persisted in workflow consistency, project monitoring, data accuracy, inter-office collaboration, and integration of multiple information sources. Although digital tools were already utilized, limitations in standardization and user confidence highlighted the need for a unified, analytics-driven decision-support system tailored to local governance processes. The development of iPlan Gov followed Agile methodology, emphasizing iterative development, user-centered design, stakeholder feedback, and continuous testing. The system embodies the study’s primary contribution by integrating analytics-based dashboards, automated reporting, and decision-support mechanisms aligned with Philippine LGU planning workflows. An estimated project cost of ₱4,747,000 was identified for the proposed implementation, covering hardware, software, and technical services, with projected maintenance provisions to support long-term usability and system reliability. Evaluation results indicated that IT experts rated the system highly in terms of functionality, reliability, usability, efficiency, maintainability, and portability, while end-users confirmed its effectiveness in data management, performance monitoring, transparency, and evidence-based decision-making. As a whole, iPlan Gov system offers a replicable, user-centered, and analytics-driven digital governance framework that enhances planning efficiency, strengthens accountability, and supports data-informed decision-making among Philippine LGUs.