PublicationsInternet & Communication TechnologiesThe Internet’s Value in Fighting Corruption and Promoting Economic GrowthReforming ICT Policy and Delivering Effective Online Applications in Developing and Transitional Countries Why E-Government Efforts Frequently Fall Short of ExpectationsE-Government applications aimed at creating transparency and efficiency have become an integral component of most anti-corruption reform programs. Yet, a recent report from the United Nations notes that as many as 60-80 percent of e-Government programs implemented in developing countries failed partially or completely. Africa suffered the highest rates of failure, but even in the developed world, the record for these applications is not stellar. These projects failed in one or more of three key categories: providing
the functionality originally promised, meeting their budgets, and
delivering the applications on schedule. Bridging the GapThe most successful e-Government applications have proven to be ones that were developed through a holistic approach that fosters linkages among key stakeholders. E-applications need to be a part of an overall government process reform strategy. Building e-applications is not a stand alone solution to reducing corruption and reforming administrative processes. To ensure the success of these applications, the proper regulatory framework needs to be in place, as well as the support and understanding of key government, business, and civil stakeholders that are the implementers and the end-users. No Citizen, No E-GovernmentEffective e-Government development strategies require a three-tiered approach:
ApproachBuilding successful e-Government solutions requires a buy-in from implementers and end-users. End-user consultations might include ordinary citizens, civil society groups, businesses, local governments, and the ministries within the national government, depending on the nature of the proposed application. Soliciting and incorporating such participation naturally requires outreach to each of these diverse groups, engaging them in a dialogue about their needs, and building networks to ensure their continued involvement in policy development, application design, and on-going implementation and improvement of the application. The consultation phase will help ICT policy planners identify problems that must be addressed effectively to promote program success. Likely problems that must be overcome include initial government resistance to efforts to promote greater transparency and efficiency in operations, infrastructure constraints, funding limitations, obstacles in improving overall access to the e-applications, and limited user capabilities. The resulting applications will then have to be implemented in an environment that encourages constant feedback from the various consumers. Monitoring and evaluation will have to be built and then sustained over the long term. While this approach cannot guarantee success, it will greatly improve on the results that have been achieved to date. Internews Network and the Center for Democracy and TechnologyCDT and Internews have six years of experience working together to implement e-Government and other ICT projects in developing and transitional countries, through the Global Internet Policy Initiative (GIPI), the dot.COM alliance funded by USAID, and other programs. Most recently, under contract to InfoDev World Bank, Internews and CDT developed a major online resource – the E-Government Toolkit for Developing Countries. The lessons Internews and CDT have learned over the past six years point the way to a new generation of projects and a new paradigm in which the delivery of applications in the areas of crucial importance for development, including e-Government, health, and education, are linked to the reform of the policy environment and to the empowerment of users through access to the Internet. About Internews Network About the Center for Democracy and Technology Internews NetworkAdministrative Headquarters: Washington, DC Office: Marjorie Rouse Center for Democracy and TechnologyHeadquarters: Jim Dempsey |
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