e-Primer on e-Government Interoperability

e-Government Interoperability Author: Emmanuel C. Lallana © UNDP, 2008, 24 pages ISBN: 978-974-13-3227-4 [PDF, 751kB]

Using technology to automate public services can save countries a significant amount of money and can allow citizens to more easily access available services. All too often, however, such progress is hindered by difficulties connected to implementation.  Today’s e-government deployments can ofttimes resemble a patchwork of incompatible information and communication technology (ICT) solutions rather than flexible and reusable assets that would provide essential building blocks of services for citizens.

Recognizing the benefits of improving the delivery of e-government services and enhancing access to government-held information, the UNDP Regional Centre in Bangkok initiated an e-Government Interoperability Project aimed at highlighting lessons learned from existing e-government interoperability efforts.  As part of the Project, UNDP Regional Centre in Bangkok established an international study group comprised of members from fourteen nations, and this group produced a set of suggested guidelines for the development of a Government Interoperability Framework (GIF).

A well-developed GIF can assist governments in effectively implementing e-government services and can contribute to issues relevant to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals.   Such a GIF can, for instance, help countries make better and more informed decisions during times of both crisis and tranquility, effectively preserving electronic public records, incorporating new technologies seamlessly into existing systems, contributing to citizen’s access to information, and stimulating competition among computer vendors for low-cost, innovative technologies.

One of the outputs of the e-Government Interoperability Project is this e-Primer. Through a question-and-answer format, the e-Primer walks its readers through the vision and value of e-government interoperability and the steps required to achieve effective interoperability. The e-Primer also answers some fundamental questions such as “who”, “what”, “why” and “how”, namely who should be involved in such projects; why a GIF should be developed; how GIFs are produced and revised; and what the key factors are for the successful development and operationalization of a GIF.

A series on e-Government Interoperability has also been produced by the UNDP Regional Office in Bangkok. The series is comprised of four publications – an Overview, Guide and Review of Government Interoperability Frameworks in Selected Countries, together with this e-Primer.  The Overview introduces the concept of e-government interoperability and is aimed at policy makers. The Guide is a practical tool for technical officials and policy makers who plan to draft or revise a GIF. The Review provides a comparative analysis of eight existing GIFs and serves as a useful resource for those involved in the development or revision of a GIF.

Related Links

GIF Project Description

e-Government Interoperability: Overview [PDF, 720kB]

e-Government Interoperability: Guide [PDF, 725kB]

e-Government Interoperability: A Review of Government Interoperability Frameworks in Selected Countries [PDF, 1MB]

APDIP e-Note 20 on GIF and Open Standards

Government Interoperability Frameworks

Interview with Dr. Emmanuel C. Lallana, GIF Project Adviser and Lars H. Bestle, APDIP Programme Specialist on GIF and this project in egov Magazine, September 2007 issue

Other e-Primers

Press Releases on the GIF Project

New Guidelines on e-Government Interoperability Development by Governments for Governments - 12 December 2007

UNDP-APDIP Held Government Interoperability Frameworks Workshop and Study Group Meeting - 20 April 2007

Commissioner Lallana to Lead UNDPs Project to Promote Policies for Open Computing Standards in Asia-Pacific Countries - 12 February 2007

GIF Project Launch - 19 December 2006