Successfully implementing eGovernance: Part III

In Successfully Implementing eGovernance Part I and Part II , we addressed how to manage some of the challenges that arise during the planning and research process of eGovernance. What’s next on our journey is our tips on how to make eGovernance implementations successful.

The most important question to ask before you implement a portal is…

Are we ready?

Our top four indicators are:

1. Having a board that recognizes the need to be better: This could be the need to go green, be more efficient, more productive, more transparent. If the board doesn’t perceive any problems with the current process, they won’t be as willing to entertain the sustained changes eGovernance demands.
2. Determining clearly stated, realistic and time-specific goals for what eGovernance will accomplish: If there are no goals, it will be challenging to know whether an eGovernance implementation was successful or not. Setting specific benchmarks with a reasonable timeframe tied to each one to help focus the group’s energy on making the implementation successful.
3. Committing to investing time and energy to fully implementing eGovernance: Entering users in a directory and building a book does not a successful implementation make. It requires a willing, informed driver who ensures the implementation continues and a core group of his or her pit team that provides back-up and energy for the driver. That really makes the difference. It’s also important to implement a portal in phases where each phase is combined with appropriate, practical training and usage of the new features is reinforced.
4. Evaluating the success of the portal and communicating the findings with the board: Knowing how well you have met your goals can guide your adjustments on how you want to move forward and with what portal. Communicating the results of a portal project are important as the parties involved will change overtime as new board members join and others leave.

What this all really means is that eGovernance is a tool to promote engaged governance for organizations that are ready for a fundamental change in their organization.