7. Action plan for success
The best way to achieve maximum benefit for ICT
implementation is to have all the factors for
success with no occurrence of the factors for
failure. However, in real world that is not the case.
Given such a situation, an action to increase the
chances of success is required. Clockwork (2004)
suggests the following framework for
implementing e-Government projects.
The framework consists of five stages:
• Examine national e-Readiness
• Identify and prioritize themes
• Develop a program of action
• Apply to target groups
• Implement solutions – the final stage of
the framework, is to implement the
solutions. A key factor in this
implementation is to ensure that the
organization is ready and in place to
realize the new activities and
corresponding changes.
Some ICT best practices that have been
“harvested” from a review of successful
applications are suggestedby Clockwork. Given
their simple situation, developing countries are in
a position to make effective and speedy use of
such best practices for their own purposes. This
can be viewed from an angle of ‘technology
leapfrog’ which can be achieved through
appropriate technology transfer (Ifinedo 2005).
The suggested best practices in ICT are:
1. Do not underestimate the complex
environment in which ICT programs
evolve. ICT projects are too often
believed to have a technology focus.
2. Be sure to select a project that is
expected to demonstrate the greatest
benefit for your target group.
3. Government staff should be ‘re-skilled’ to
anticipate the changes that accompany
an ICT structure and new roles
4. Identify the right technologies.
5. Make a decision on how an organizational
process fits your technology.
6. Strong program and project management
is essential to develop and implement
successful ICT solutions.