The document discusses the evolution and future of e-government, highlighting shifting benefits from cost reduction to government transformation driven by new tools and digital experiences. It identifies obstacles and opportunities for GCC countries to enhance their e-government initiatives while addressing the digital divide, emphasizing the need for cross-agency collaboration and public engagement. The conclusion stresses that e-government must align with local values and act as a catalyst for national transformation, presenting GCC countries with a critical role in shaping future governance.

1. The Future of e-Government
Future trends, future concerns and future tools Possible
consequences for GCC countries
Dr Usman Zafar | CEO | DUC Consulting International
1

2. Three key messages
 The perceived benefits of e-government have changed
significantly over the last 25 years (from cost
reduction/automation to government transformation)
 The availability of new tools, as well as a growing body of
experiences (good and bad practices), have changed the issues
and expectations surrounding e-government
 GCC countries have significant opportunities to take advantage
of this rapidly changing environment
1996 2008 2020

3. The Brave New World of E-Government
 Billions of dollars invested worldwide
 Improved efficiency of transactions between governments,
vendors and the public
 Decreased paperwork and red tape
 Increased good governance
But how does this affect people
on the wrong side of the digital divide?

4. Top 10 Obstacles for Achieving E-Government for All
 A disconnect in e-gov and
digital divide policies
 Unnecessary “bells and
whistles”
 Non-enforcement (or lack)
of accessibility standards
 Insensitivity to reading
levels
 Linguistic barriers
 E-Gov user unfriendliness
 “Out with the old, in with
the new” (shutting offline
services, replaced by
online services)
 Funding challenges
 Non-engagement of
private sector & civil
society
 Lack of public
engagement

5. Top 10 Opportunities for Achieving E-Government for All
 Educating govt officials
 Establishing cross-agency E-
Government for All working
groups
 Employing public input to
improve understanding of
audience
 Enforcing Web accessibility
& readability standards
 Creating E-Government for
All ombudsmen
 Know Thy Audience:
development of user
“personas”
 Engagement with private
sector and civil society
 Addressing the total cost of
e-government prior to
deployment
 Establishing standards for
digital divide research
 Maintaining alternative
channels of information &
services

6. E-government is a changing concept
 The perceived benefits of e-government have changed
significantly over the last 25 years
 From automation and cost-cutting to new services, new
business models and government transformation
 From top-down to citizen-centric to consumer-centric
 From centralized services to shared responsibility and
collaborative innovation
1996 2008 2020

9. Competitive
Inclusive
Society

10. What might 2020 look like?
Thinking outside the square –
options and opportunities for eGovernment services
10

11. „The stronger the extent of personal concernment, the more relevant and controversial the
issue, the stronger the factual participation opportunities, the lower the effort and time, the
higher the personal added value and the better the quality assessment during the participation
process, …
the more successful the eParcticiation process and people‘s engagement. (J. Bogumil 1999 – „All
politics is local“)

12. THINK.Of the possibilities.

13. IMAGINE.The implications.

14. MOBILELOCALSOCIAL
It is no longer about the quadrant of tv, print, radio
and outdoor, but the triad of the networked society.

15. WITNESS.The revolution.

16. Companies in the Middle East spent
22% on digital
while 58% are increasing digital budgets next year.

17. $90B spent
online
in MENA in 2010 alone.

18. SOCIAL MEDIAinfluences company reputations, shapes brands.

19. Key Challenge - Information is Scattered (GCC)
Law Enforcement
Data Exchanges
Criminal Justice,
Corrections Agencies
Regional
Centers of
Operations
Federal,
Regional,
Homeland
Security
Fire Dept,
Early Responders,
Other Disciplines
Information
Requirements

20. Enabling the Possibilities
We must collect, integrate, and analyze the scattered pieces of
data and information required to assemble the big picture

21. Dynamic, Living Plans
 Plans in the form of
static documents are
ineffective
 Plans must be
maintained as
evolving, actionable
information
environments
 Planning environment
must transition
seamlessly into
command and control
environment Multi-Agency Coordination

22. Recognizes the single identity who is made up of multiple records
“Who is Who?”
Mr. Joseph Carbella
55 Church Street
New York, NY 10007
Tel#: 212-693-5312
DOB: 07/08/66
SID#: 068588345
DL#: 544 210 836
Mr. Joe Jones
APT 4909
Bethesda, MD 20814
Tel#: 978-365-6631
DOB: 09/07/66
Mr. Joe Carbello
1 Bourne St
Clinton MA 01510
TEL#: 978-365-6631
DL#: 544 210 836
DOB: 07/09/66
Mr. Joey Carbello
555 Church Ave
New York, NY 10070
Tel#: 212-693-5312
DL#: 544 210 836
PPN#: 086588345
Close match
Exact match

23. Single Sign On
Role Based
Personalization
Customization
Navigation
Security
Integration on the Glass

24. New tools, new issues (2020)

25. Conclusion
 E-Gov is changing: it needs to be aligned with local
constraints and values, and be an instrument of national
transformation
 E-Gov will be at the conjunction of major trends in the
next few years, raising new possibilities, but also issues
and expectations; governments can be leaders and
innovators in this process
 Building on past and recent successes, GCC countries
can play a critical role in shaping the future of
government transformation, especially if they focus on
building appropriate skills and metrics

26. 26
Q/A
Thanks for Your Attention!
www.duconsulting.com
www.usmanzafar.com
Advisor@usmanzafar.com