Abstract (Translated):
This article addresses digital transformation in public administration, exploring fundamental concepts, involved domains, and measurement tools that have been internationally applied to assess governments' progress in this field. The study focuses on analyzing the use of digital technologies for the modernization of state institutions, particularly within a context shaped by managerial models driven by efficiency and austerity. However, it questions the excessive emphasis on digital maturity indicators such as the GovTech Maturity Index (GTMI), the E-Government Development Index (EGDI), and the Digital Government Index (DGI), suggesting that these instruments do not fully capture the realities and needs of developing countries, such as Brazil. Through a critical review, the article argues that the use of these indices should be applied with caution, serving as diagnostic tools rather than absolute targets, considering that a genuine digital transformation in the public sector should prioritize inclusion, equity, and the strengthening of citizenship, adapting to the social and economic particularities of each territory.