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This e-Government Framework is intended to provoke discussion
about the important challenges in the next phase of
successfully utilizing Information and Communications
Technology in Government (ICT). This is not a case of the
private sector telling the Government what to do. In fact, our
members do not claim to know everything or that they have done
everything right. Nevertheless, the challenges now facing the
public sector are ones which members of the Buy-IT network
have been actively addressing for some time. There is
therefore opportunity for collaboration and knowledge sharing
on the key outstanding issues.
Our observation is that the case for e-Government is
understood but that how to deliver the next phase of more
complex solutions is still problematical.
We intend that it should define waypoints to energise the
journey from the, still present, maze of silo'd services to
joined-up government. Imagine if...we capitalized on the
lessons from public and private sector success, like
supply-chain. We could then attain both better services at
lower costs - not 'either, or' but 'both'.
The successful use of ICT is not simply a technology
implementation exercise. It is a full scale change management
initiative where the application of ICT is one very important
element but only one element. It is this philosophy that is
vital in the thinking about 'How to Deliver'.
Therefore we have included an e-Government Readiness
Checklist to address the three key issues to achieve further
e-enabled public sector reform:
- Customer Centred Thinking
- Efficient Processes, and
- Collaborative Working
We believe that the definition and measurement of the
take-up of and benefits from electronic services is vital to
the strategic application of ICT: For digital channels to
become increasingly attractive, e-Enabled services need to be
better - easier, faster, cheaper, less prone to mistakes, and
must deliver a little extra. At the same time, modernised
Government service must be accessible through multiple
channels which take into account the different needs of both
citizens and businesses. This includes ensuring appropriate
access for the disadvantaged and disabled members of our
society.
The move to e-Government will also provoke debate on the
balance between our individual want to maintain our privacy
and societal needs for security and rights to benefits. This
will undoubtedly strain current legislation.
This framework is offered as a positive move to inform the
development and implementation of the next phase of an
effective e-Strategy for reformed Public Services which
delivers improved services for less.
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