Implementation of

e-Government Part I
Lecturer: Dr. Visham Ramsurrun

Wednesday, 7th March 2012

Visham Ramsurrun e-Government 2012 Lecture 3 1

 Objectives
Describe the models defining the
implementation stages of e-Government
Define the reasons and advantages of a
formal and structured approach to e-Gov

Visham Ramsurrun e-Government 2012 Lecture 3 2

 Stages of e-
e-Government
Implementing e-government is a continuing process, and
most often the development is divided into stages
e-government is an evolutionary phenomenon
o e-government initiatives are implemented gradually such that one phase of
implementation builds on the previous one

E-Government developments are influenced by so called e-

government development models
E-Government literature demonstrates that many e-Gov
initiatives have been failures
o This has thus spurred the need for a more formal and structured approach to e-
Government initiative planning and deployment

Visham Ramsurrun e-Government 2012 Lecture 3 3

 Stages of e-
e-Government (contd)
These models are specifically designed to:
o Help public administrators manage often chaotic e-Gov initiatives
o Guide the implementation and development of e-government applications in a stage-
wise manner
o Help understand the development and transition from immature (traditional
administration with one-way communication) to the mature (digital democracy) stage
o Offer governments abilities to measure the progress
o Help generate momentum that could subsequently be maintained

The most referred models are:

o Gartners 4-Phase model
o Layne and Lees 4-Stage model
o World Banks 3-Stage model
o UN 5-Stage model

Visham Ramsurrun e-Government 2012 Lecture 3 4

 Stages of e-
e-Government (contd)
The Gartner 4-Phase Model (contd)

Gartner research (2000) study titled Gartner's Four Phases

of e-Government Model classifies e-Government into four
distinct phases
o To measure progress for e-Government initiatives
o To establish a road map to achieve the desired levels of constituency service
o To serve as a reference to position where a project fits in the overall evolution of an
e-Government strategy

The 4 phases are:

o Presence
o Interaction
o Transaction
o Transformation
Visham Ramsurrun e-Government 2012 Lecture 3 5
 Stages of e-
e-Government (contd)
The Gartner 4-Phase Model (contd)
Presence
o This stage is classified by a simple information-providing Web site of a passive
nature, sometimes described as brochure ware, indicating the same level of functions as
a paper brochure
Interaction
o The interaction stage offers simple interactions between government and citizen
(G2C), government to business (G2B), or government agency to government agency
(G2G)
o Interaction stage Web sites provide e-mail contact, search engine facilities and
interactive forms that generate informational responses
Transaction
o The transaction stage enables transactions such as paying for license renewals online,
paying taxes or fees, or submitting bids for procurement contracts
Transformation
o The highest stage, most closely aligned with the concept of governance, involves a
reinvention of how government functions are conceived and organized
o It involves participation of the citizens in the decision-making process of government
and consultation of their opinion on themes of national interest

Visham Ramsurrun e-Government 2012 Lecture 3 6

 Stages of e-
e-Government (contd)
The Gartner 4-Phase Model (contd)

Visham Ramsurrun e-Government 2012 Lecture 2 7

 Stages of e-
e-Government (contd)
The Layne & Lee Four-Stage Model
Layne and Lee (2001) provided a four-stage e-Government
development and proposes a stages of growth model for
fully functional e-Government
The 4 stages are:
o Cataloguing
o Transaction
o Vertical integration
o Horizontal integration

Visham Ramsurrun e-Government 2012 Lecture 3 8

 Stages of e-
e-Government (contd)
The Layne & Lee Four-Stage Model (contd)
Cataloguing
o In stage one of cataloguing, initial efforts of state governments are focused on
establishing an on-line presence for the government
Transaction
o In the transaction stage, e-Government initiatives will focus on connecting the
internal government system to on-line interfaces and allowing citizens to
transact with government electronically
Vertical integration
o This stage initiates the transformation of government services rather than
automating and digitizing existing processes
o Vertical integration refers to local and national governments connected for
different functions or services of government
Horizontal integration
o Horizontal integration is defined as integration across different functions and
services from separate systems so as to provide a unified and seamless service
o Horizontal integration is driven by visions of efficiency and effectiveness in using IT
o Provides citizens with one stop shopping

Visham Ramsurrun e-Government 2012 Lecture 3 9

 Stages of e-
e-Government (contd)
The Layne & Lee Four-Stage Model (contd)

Visham Ramsurrun e-Government 2012 Lecture 2 10

 Stages of e-
e-Government (contd)
World Bank 3-Stage Model
The Center for Democracy and Technology (2002) of World
Bank divided the process of e-Government implementation
into three phases
These phases are not dependent on each other, nor need
one phase be completed before another can begin, but
conceptually they offer three ways to think about the goals
of e-Government
The stages are:
o Publish
o Interact
o Transact

Visham Ramsurrun e-Government 2012 Lecture 3 11

 Stages of e-
e-Government (contd)
World Bank 3-Stage Model (contd)

Publish
o Publish sites seek to disseminate information about government and information
compiled by government to as wide an audience as possible. In doing so, publish
sites serve as the leading edge of e-Government
Interact
o Interactive e-Government involves two-way communications, starting with basic
functions like email contact information for government officials or feedback
forms that allow users to submit comments on legislative or policy proposals
Transact
o Allowing citizens to obtain government services or transact business with the
government online
o A transact website offers a direct link to government services, available at any time
o Transact sites can enhance productivity in both the public and private sector by
making processes that require government assistance or approval simpler, faster, and
cheaper

Visham Ramsurrun e-Government 2012 Lecture 3 12

 Stages of e-
e-Government (contd)
World Bank 3-Stage Model (contd)

Visham Ramsurrun e-Government 2012 Lecture 3 13

 Stages of e-
e-Government (contd)
United Nations 5-Stage Model
Arguing that the purpose of e-Government is to provide
web-based public service, the UN suggested a five-stage
model,
o is ascending in nature and builds upon the previous level of sophistication of citizen
services

The stages are:

o Emerging Presence
o Enhanced Presence
o Interactive Presence
o Transactional Presence
o Networked Presence

Visham Ramsurrun e-Government 2012 Lecture 3 14

 Stages of e-
e-Government (contd)
United Nations 5-Stage Model (contd)

Emerging Presence
o A single or a few independent government website(s) providing limited and basic
information
Enhanced Presence
o Government provides current, specialised and dynamic information
o Though more sophisticated, the interaction is still primarily one-way from government to
citizen
Interactive Presence
o Online services enter the interactive mode with services to enhance convenience of the
citizen such as downloadable forms and applications
o Government officials can be contacted by e-mail, telephone and post
o The website is updated regularly to keep information up-to-date for the public

Visham Ramsurrun e-Government 2012 Lecture 3 15

 Stages of e-
e-Government (contd)
United Nations 5-Stage Model (contd)

Transactional Presence
o This stage allows 2-way interaction between citizen and government
o Citizens have the capability to conduct complete and secure actions through government
website like payments
Networked Presence
o Represents the most sophisticated level in online e-Gov initiatives
o Can be characterised by an integration of G2G, G2C and G2G (and reverse) interactions
o Governments utilise a single and universal website to provide a one-stop portal in which
users can immediately and conveniently access all kinds of available services

Visham Ramsurrun e-Government 2012 Lecture 3 16

 Stages of e-
e-Government (contd)
United Nations 5-Stage Model (contd)

Visham Ramsurrun e-Government 2012 Lecture 3 17