AP26102429 Increasing accountability and transparency in the planning and implementation of digital projects
Project title
Increasing accountability and transparency in the planning and implementation of digital projects in public administration based on the application of Project Management in the Republic of Kazakhstan
Project goal
To develop practical recommendations for enhancing accountability and transparency in the planning and implementation of public digital projects in the Republic of Kazakhstan. This will be achieved through the introduction of flexible approaches; the use of digital solutions; proposals for amendments to existing legislation aimed at optimizing timelines and stages of project execution and improving budget procedures during project planning. As a result of the project, new approaches and tools are expected to be created to ensure effective management of government digital projects, strengthen citizen oversight, which will increase trust in government bodies and improve feedback.
Project objectives
1) Review of previous research and best international practices in project management in public administration.
1.1 Study of modern concepts (Good Governance, E-Government, Data-driven Government). The task will help to define the basic principles, criteria and tools of accountability and transparency of the activities of public administration entities, including data availability, openness of decisions and interaction with civil society.
1.2 Study of project management concepts (waterfall model, Agile, hybrid). The task will provide an understanding of various approaches to project management, which will help to adapt them to improve efficiency in the public sector.
1.3 Comparative analysis of international experience in applying Agile methodology in the public sector. The objective is to identify best practices, which is important for developing recommendations for implementing flexible approaches in the field of public project management in Kazakhstan.
2) Analysis of accountability and transparency of government digital projects implemented using project management in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
2.1 Analysis of the current state of project management in public administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The task allows to identify barriers in the use of project management, such as resistance to change, lack of qualified personnel, tight budgets and determine ways to overcome them, which can be solved with the help of Agile.
2.2 Analysis of the process of planning and implementation of state digital projects, regulated by the current legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The task is aimed at studying the timing, budget management and achievement of planned indicators.
2.3 Evaluation of the monitoring and reporting system for state digital projects. The task involves analyzing existing mechanisms for monitoring and reporting state digital projects, including assessing their effectiveness, frequency of reports, and availability of information for stakeholders. The task includes conducting a sociological survey among key stakeholders to determine the level of accountability and transparency. The results of this task will help identify existing problems and propose effective methods to overcome them.
3) Develop practical recommendations for enhancing accountability and transparency in the planning and implementation of government digital projects in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
3.1 Develop a methodology for implementing Agile methods in the implementation of government digital projects, taking into account the peculiarities and limitations of public administration, as well as recommendations for implementing a flexible framework based on Living Lab. Propose a training program for civil servants titled "Digital Tools and Agile Project Management Methods."
3.2 Develop recommendations for amending existing legislation aimed at transparency, optimization, and flexibility of business processes in the planning and implementation of government digital projects.
3.3 Develop practical recommendations for creating an architectural module based on “open.egov.kz” to enhance accountability, including the placement of public reports on an online platform, obtaining feedback from citizens and experts at each stage of the implementation of government digital projects.
1.1 Study of modern concepts (Good Governance, E-Government, Data-driven Government). The task will help to define the basic principles, criteria and tools of accountability and transparency of the activities of public administration entities, including data availability, openness of decisions and interaction with civil society.
1.2 Study of project management concepts (waterfall model, Agile, hybrid). The task will provide an understanding of various approaches to project management, which will help to adapt them to improve efficiency in the public sector.
1.3 Comparative analysis of international experience in applying Agile methodology in the public sector. The objective is to identify best practices, which is important for developing recommendations for implementing flexible approaches in the field of public project management in Kazakhstan.
2) Analysis of accountability and transparency of government digital projects implemented using project management in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
2.1 Analysis of the current state of project management in public administration of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The task allows to identify barriers in the use of project management, such as resistance to change, lack of qualified personnel, tight budgets and determine ways to overcome them, which can be solved with the help of Agile.
2.2 Analysis of the process of planning and implementation of state digital projects, regulated by the current legislation of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The task is aimed at studying the timing, budget management and achievement of planned indicators.
2.3 Evaluation of the monitoring and reporting system for state digital projects. The task involves analyzing existing mechanisms for monitoring and reporting state digital projects, including assessing their effectiveness, frequency of reports, and availability of information for stakeholders. The task includes conducting a sociological survey among key stakeholders to determine the level of accountability and transparency. The results of this task will help identify existing problems and propose effective methods to overcome them.
3) Develop practical recommendations for enhancing accountability and transparency in the planning and implementation of government digital projects in the Republic of Kazakhstan.
3.1 Develop a methodology for implementing Agile methods in the implementation of government digital projects, taking into account the peculiarities and limitations of public administration, as well as recommendations for implementing a flexible framework based on Living Lab. Propose a training program for civil servants titled "Digital Tools and Agile Project Management Methods."
3.2 Develop recommendations for amending existing legislation aimed at transparency, optimization, and flexibility of business processes in the planning and implementation of government digital projects.
3.3 Develop practical recommendations for creating an architectural module based on “open.egov.kz” to enhance accountability, including the placement of public reports on an online platform, obtaining feedback from citizens and experts at each stage of the implementation of government digital projects.
Expected project outcomes
Expected Results and Novelty of the Research:
1. Within the project implementation, it is planned to:
- at least 2 (two) articles or reviews in a peer-reviewed scientific publication indexed in the Social Science Citation Index and included in the 1st (first) or 2nd (second) quartile by impact factor in the Web of Science database and (or) having a CiteScore percentile in the Scopus database of at least 50 (fifty);
- at least 4 (four) articles and (or) reviews in peer-reviewed foreign and (or) domestic publications recommended by the Committee on the Review of Scientific and Educational Institutions of the Russian Federation;
One of the articles will be categorized as multidisciplinary (multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary practical application).
For domestic journals from list 1 of the KOKNVO that do not belong to the multidisciplinary category, journals from lists 1 and 2 of the KOKNVO that are indexed in two or more categories are counted.
- Training of at least 1 (one) PhD. In this case, the dissertation may be defended no later than 2 (two) years after completion of the project
- Publication of the monograph “The Impact of Agile Project Management Methods and Digitalization on the Level of Accountability and Transparency in State Digital Projects of the Republic of Kazakhstan” (10 pp, 100 copies) in the Kazakh publishing house.
2) Disseminate research results among potential users, the scientific community, and the general public.
The research results will be submitted to relevant government bodies and organizations engaged in project management activities, and the findings may be utilized by researchers, master's students, and doctoral candidates for studies related to the project topic.
3) Within the research project, it is planned to develop practical recommendations for applying flexible management methods (Scrum, Kanban, Lean, SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework), Design Thinking) to digital projects at the planning and implementation stages to ensure flexibility in project budgeting, timelines, and quality of execution.
4) The research results may serve as a scientific and practical basis for studies in project management in the public sector and for conducting further research at the international level.
5) The research results are practice-oriented and will be recommended to the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Project Management Monitoring Center of the Digital Government Support Center, and other interested parties for further implementation in practice.
6) A comparative analysis at the international and national levels of the application of flexible project management methods will help identify opportunities for implementing the experiences of various countries that have achieved the best results in this area into domestic practice.
Scientific and Technical Effect: Development of practical recommendations and publication of scientific research results.
Multiplicative Effect: Ensuring accountability and transparency in the planning and implementation of government digital projects through the application of Agile and digital solutions will facilitate the dissemination of this experience to other types of government projects and promote the spread of Agile in various sectors of public administration.
1. Within the project implementation, it is planned to:
- at least 2 (two) articles or reviews in a peer-reviewed scientific publication indexed in the Social Science Citation Index and included in the 1st (first) or 2nd (second) quartile by impact factor in the Web of Science database and (or) having a CiteScore percentile in the Scopus database of at least 50 (fifty);
- at least 4 (four) articles and (or) reviews in peer-reviewed foreign and (or) domestic publications recommended by the Committee on the Review of Scientific and Educational Institutions of the Russian Federation;
One of the articles will be categorized as multidisciplinary (multidisciplinary or interdisciplinary practical application).
For domestic journals from list 1 of the KOKNVO that do not belong to the multidisciplinary category, journals from lists 1 and 2 of the KOKNVO that are indexed in two or more categories are counted.
- Training of at least 1 (one) PhD. In this case, the dissertation may be defended no later than 2 (two) years after completion of the project
- Publication of the monograph “The Impact of Agile Project Management Methods and Digitalization on the Level of Accountability and Transparency in State Digital Projects of the Republic of Kazakhstan” (10 pp, 100 copies) in the Kazakh publishing house.
2) Disseminate research results among potential users, the scientific community, and the general public.
The research results will be submitted to relevant government bodies and organizations engaged in project management activities, and the findings may be utilized by researchers, master's students, and doctoral candidates for studies related to the project topic.
3) Within the research project, it is planned to develop practical recommendations for applying flexible management methods (Scrum, Kanban, Lean, SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework), Design Thinking) to digital projects at the planning and implementation stages to ensure flexibility in project budgeting, timelines, and quality of execution.
4) The research results may serve as a scientific and practical basis for studies in project management in the public sector and for conducting further research at the international level.
5) The research results are practice-oriented and will be recommended to the Ministry of Digital Development, Innovations and Aerospace Industry of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Ministry of National Economy of the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Project Management Monitoring Center of the Digital Government Support Center, and other interested parties for further implementation in practice.
6) A comparative analysis at the international and national levels of the application of flexible project management methods will help identify opportunities for implementing the experiences of various countries that have achieved the best results in this area into domestic practice.
Scientific and Technical Effect: Development of practical recommendations and publication of scientific research results.
Multiplicative Effect: Ensuring accountability and transparency in the planning and implementation of government digital projects through the application of Agile and digital solutions will facilitate the dissemination of this experience to other types of government projects and promote the spread of Agile in various sectors of public administration.
AITU Strengthens Project Culture and Professional Connections at Project Maturity Forum 2025
On November 6–8, the project team of Astana IT University participated in the annual Project Maturity Forum, dedicated to International Project Management Day. The Forum traditionally brings together leading experts, researchers, and practitioners in the field of project management, providing a professional platform for knowledge exchange and the promotion of best practices in Kazakhstan.
Participation in the Forum became an important milestone in the implementation of the project:
“Enhancing Accountability and Transparency in the Planning and Implementation of Digital Projects in Public Administration through the Application of Project Management in the Republic of Kazakhstan”, carried out within the framework of program-targeted funding.
The AITU project team was represented by:
• Rymkul Ismailova, Project Leader, Doctor of Economics, Professor at the School of Digital Public Administration
• Nurkhat Ibadildin, Associate Professor at the School of Digital Public Administration
• Nurgul Yesmagulova, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Professor at the School of Digital Public Administration
• Aigul Aitbayeva, PhD Doctoral Student in Project Management and Project Manager at the Digital Government Support Center
On November 6 and 7, participants attended presentations by national and international experts focused on project management maturity, digital transformation, and the exchange of effective management practices.
The final day of the Forum was held at Astana IT University and was entirely dedicated to the Simultrain simulation game, organized specifically for Project Maturity Forum participants.
The simulation involved:
• business representatives,
• government officials,
• university faculty members,
• AITU students.
Simultrain enabled participants to:
• apply project management methodologies in a dynamic environment,
• build effective team communication,
• make managerial decisions under limited resources and time constraints,
• assess the maturity level of their project management competencies.
The key takeaway was that mature project management requires a balance of strategy, communication, and flexibility in decision-making.
Participation in Project Maturity Forum 2025 strengthened the expertise of Astana IT University’s project team and demonstrated its commitment to continuous professional development.
The knowledge gained, practical experience acquired, and new professional connections established directly contribute to the successful and sustainable implementation of the program-funded project, as well as to the development of a project management culture within the university and beyond.
#AstanaITUniversity #ProjectMaturityForum #ProjectManagement #DigitalPublicAdministration #AITU #ProjectTeam #Simultrain
Participation in the Forum became an important milestone in the implementation of the project:
“Enhancing Accountability and Transparency in the Planning and Implementation of Digital Projects in Public Administration through the Application of Project Management in the Republic of Kazakhstan”, carried out within the framework of program-targeted funding.
The AITU project team was represented by:
• Rymkul Ismailova, Project Leader, Doctor of Economics, Professor at the School of Digital Public Administration
• Nurkhat Ibadildin, Associate Professor at the School of Digital Public Administration
• Nurgul Yesmagulova, Candidate of Economic Sciences, Professor at the School of Digital Public Administration
• Aigul Aitbayeva, PhD Doctoral Student in Project Management and Project Manager at the Digital Government Support Center
On November 6 and 7, participants attended presentations by national and international experts focused on project management maturity, digital transformation, and the exchange of effective management practices.
The final day of the Forum was held at Astana IT University and was entirely dedicated to the Simultrain simulation game, organized specifically for Project Maturity Forum participants.
The simulation involved:
• business representatives,
• government officials,
• university faculty members,
• AITU students.
Simultrain enabled participants to:
• apply project management methodologies in a dynamic environment,
• build effective team communication,
• make managerial decisions under limited resources and time constraints,
• assess the maturity level of their project management competencies.
The key takeaway was that mature project management requires a balance of strategy, communication, and flexibility in decision-making.
Participation in Project Maturity Forum 2025 strengthened the expertise of Astana IT University’s project team and demonstrated its commitment to continuous professional development.
The knowledge gained, practical experience acquired, and new professional connections established directly contribute to the successful and sustainable implementation of the program-funded project, as well as to the development of a project management culture within the university and beyond.
#AstanaITUniversity #ProjectMaturityForum #ProjectManagement #DigitalPublicAdministration #AITU #ProjectTeam #Simultrain
Astana IT University Participates in TIMES-iCON 2025 International Conference
From December 10 to 12, 2025, representatives of Astana IT University participated in the 6th Technology Innovation Management and Engineering Science International Conference (TIMES-iCON 2025) held in Bangkok, Thailand.
During the conference, the research paper entitled
“Digitalization as a Solution in Improving Accountability and Transparency in Digital Government Projects of Kazakhstan: Challenges and Opportunities” authored by Symbat Issabayeva, Rymkul Ismailova, Nurgul Yesmagulova, Aiman Kadyrova, and Maral Tleukhanova was presented on behalf of Astana IT University.
The study examines the role of digitalisation in enhancing accountability and transparency in the planning and implementation of digital government projects in the Republic of Kazakhstan. It addresses key challenges of digital transformation and highlights opportunities related to institutional development, project management practices, and the adoption of advanced digital solutions in the public sector.
This research was funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant No. AP26102429).
Participation in TIMES-iCON 2025 demonstrates Astana IT University’s strong engagement in international academic collaboration and its contribution to research in the field of digital public governance.
During the conference, the research paper entitled
“Digitalization as a Solution in Improving Accountability and Transparency in Digital Government Projects of Kazakhstan: Challenges and Opportunities” authored by Symbat Issabayeva, Rymkul Ismailova, Nurgul Yesmagulova, Aiman Kadyrova, and Maral Tleukhanova was presented on behalf of Astana IT University.
The study examines the role of digitalisation in enhancing accountability and transparency in the planning and implementation of digital government projects in the Republic of Kazakhstan. It addresses key challenges of digital transformation and highlights opportunities related to institutional development, project management practices, and the adoption of advanced digital solutions in the public sector.
This research was funded by the Science Committee of the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan (Grant No. AP26102429).
Participation in TIMES-iCON 2025 demonstrates Astana IT University’s strong engagement in international academic collaboration and its contribution to research in the field of digital public governance.
Research Projects AP26102429 & AP26103811 at the Global Summit Series Seoul 2026
Host country: Seoul, Republic of Korea
The research teams of projects AP26102429 and AP26103811, funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, took part in the two-day Global Summit Series Seoul 2026 — an international platform bringing together business, academia, the public sector, and the global project management community.
The summit agenda aligned closely with the research objectives of both projects:
AP26102429 — Accountability and transparency in public-sector digital projects: international approaches to evaluating AI feasibility and value, data-driven decision support, and stakeholder trust mechanisms applicable to digital government initiatives
AP26103811 — IT-company competitiveness, innovation clusters, and digital ecosystems: case studies of AI scaling by Korean companies in industry, healthcare, and high-tech, providing benchmarks for the analysis of Kazakhstan's IT sector
Shared agenda: Enterprise Agility, change management, and leadership competencies as enablers of digital transformation under uncertainty
Participation in the summit expanded the projects' international network, opened potential research collaborations, and provided up-to-date global practices that will be integrated into the projects' research outputs and policy recommendations for Kazakhstan.
The projects are implemented at Astana IT University. Research team: Prof. Nurkhat Zhakiyev, Prof. Rymkul Ismailova, Prof. Nurgul Yesmagulova.
The research teams of projects AP26102429 and AP26103811, funded by the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of the Republic of Kazakhstan, took part in the two-day Global Summit Series Seoul 2026 — an international platform bringing together business, academia, the public sector, and the global project management community.
The summit agenda aligned closely with the research objectives of both projects:
AP26102429 — Accountability and transparency in public-sector digital projects: international approaches to evaluating AI feasibility and value, data-driven decision support, and stakeholder trust mechanisms applicable to digital government initiatives
AP26103811 — IT-company competitiveness, innovation clusters, and digital ecosystems: case studies of AI scaling by Korean companies in industry, healthcare, and high-tech, providing benchmarks for the analysis of Kazakhstan's IT sector
Shared agenda: Enterprise Agility, change management, and leadership competencies as enablers of digital transformation under uncertainty
Participation in the summit expanded the projects' international network, opened potential research collaborations, and provided up-to-date global practices that will be integrated into the projects' research outputs and policy recommendations for Kazakhstan.
The projects are implemented at Astana IT University. Research team: Prof. Nurkhat Zhakiyev, Prof. Rymkul Ismailova, Prof. Nurgul Yesmagulova.
Развитие международного научного сотрудничества: визит в Sunchon National University (Республика Корея)
As part of the implementation of a research project, members of the research team visited Sunchon National University (Republic of Korea). The purpose of the visit was to strengthen international scientific cooperation, exchange research experience, and discuss opportunities for joint research and educational initiatives in the fields of digital transformation, innovation, and information and communication technologies (ICT).
The visit program included a series of meetings with leading scholars and heads of research centers at the university. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Professor Ha Jin Hwang for organizing the visit and facilitating professional connections between research teams from Kazakhstan and the Republic of Korea.
During meetings with Professor Hyun Yoe, Director of the ICT Research Center and President of the Association of University ICT Research Centers of Korea, as well as Professor JinGwang Koh from the Department of Computer Engineering, participants discussed current trends in digital technology development, digital transformation challenges, and prospects for expanding international academic cooperation.
The delegation also explored the university’s educational, research, and innovation infrastructure. Particular interest was shown in the Smart Library, a modern intelligent learning environment where digital technologies are actively integrated into educational and research activities.
One of the key events of the visit was a research seminar during which the results of projects AP26102429 and AP26103811 were presented. The discussions focused on digital transformation in public administration, the application of project management tools in the implementation of digital initiatives, the development of innovation ecosystems, and the use of artificial intelligence and data analytics technologies to support managerial decision-making.
Special attention was given to opportunities for joint scientific publications, academic mobility programs, the expansion of international research collaborations, and participation in international research projects and grant programs.
As a result of the visit, both parties confirmed their interest in further strengthening partnership relations and implementing joint research initiatives. The meetings contributed to enhancing academic ties between Kazakhstan and the Republic of Korea and established a foundation for future collaborative projects in the field of digital innovation and advanced technologies.
The visit program included a series of meetings with leading scholars and heads of research centers at the university. We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Professor Ha Jin Hwang for organizing the visit and facilitating professional connections between research teams from Kazakhstan and the Republic of Korea.
During meetings with Professor Hyun Yoe, Director of the ICT Research Center and President of the Association of University ICT Research Centers of Korea, as well as Professor JinGwang Koh from the Department of Computer Engineering, participants discussed current trends in digital technology development, digital transformation challenges, and prospects for expanding international academic cooperation.
The delegation also explored the university’s educational, research, and innovation infrastructure. Particular interest was shown in the Smart Library, a modern intelligent learning environment where digital technologies are actively integrated into educational and research activities.
One of the key events of the visit was a research seminar during which the results of projects AP26102429 and AP26103811 were presented. The discussions focused on digital transformation in public administration, the application of project management tools in the implementation of digital initiatives, the development of innovation ecosystems, and the use of artificial intelligence and data analytics technologies to support managerial decision-making.
Special attention was given to opportunities for joint scientific publications, academic mobility programs, the expansion of international research collaborations, and participation in international research projects and grant programs.
As a result of the visit, both parties confirmed their interest in further strengthening partnership relations and implementing joint research initiatives. The meetings contributed to enhancing academic ties between Kazakhstan and the Republic of Korea and established a foundation for future collaborative projects in the field of digital innovation and advanced technologies.
Recent publications
1. Ismailova, R. A., Ibadildin, N. A., & Kadyrova, A. K. (2025). Benchmarking the Application of Agile Project Management Methods in Public Administration. Economic Aspects in Management. https://doi.org/10.58319/26170493_2025_2_13.
2. Ismailova R.A., Satpayeva D.S., Colak M., Amirova A. Digital transformation of project team competencies: model for assessing project manager training effectiveness. Bulletin of "Turan" University. 2026;(1):508-521. https://doi.org/10.46914/1562-2959-2026-1-1-508-521
2. Ismailova R.A., Satpayeva D.S., Colak M., Amirova A. Digital transformation of project team competencies: model for assessing project manager training effectiveness. Bulletin of "Turan" University. 2026;(1):508-521. https://doi.org/10.46914/1562-2959-2026-1-1-508-521