The article puts forward a hypothesis about the difference between digitalization and management based on big data (hereinafter referred to as BD); it is assumed that these are stages of the same process. The transition from digitalization to BD-driven decisions is perceived as a kind of "leap" in public administration. Authors set the research task of identifying the key differences between these stages, as well as determining the reasons for the transition from one to the other. To do this, we carry out an analysis of the implementation of BD-driven solutions in public administration during the COVID-19 period, with a focus on the regional level. The analysis is based on the multiple streams theory. The case-study method was used to compare the selected regions. At this stage of the study, a gap in the development of the digital infrastructure in the Russian regions was revealed – a situation where only rich regions can carry out their original solutions, having the opportunity to invest in advance in the development of digital infrastructure, training and original management solutions. As a result of the conducted research, the absence of original digital solutions in the regions was noted. An alternative to using a BD-driven policy is simple digitalization, by which we mean either imitation solutions or blind copying of technological solutions offered by the federal center. In order to switch to BD-driven management, regional administrations need to accumulate expertise, experience in implementing successful digital projects, and make investments in the development of technological infrastructure and training.