Peer Review of E-Government in Arab countries by Marco Daglio, Administrator, Public Governance and Territorial Development Directorate

2 What is an OECD Peer Review of E-government It is an in-depth qualitative and quantitative assessment of e- government implementation in a country aiming at: –Highlighting the achievements, good practices and progress made –Identifying the strengths and weaknesses, opportunities and challenges of e-government –Providing proposals for action to decision makers for improving e-government performance

3 What makes an OECD review unique? Independency: assessment and proposals for action are provided by government officials from OECD countries with practical experience in e-government. OECD Secretariat supports the review process. Collegiality: results of the review are presented and discussed in official OECD bodies (e.g. OECD network of senior e- government officials) Transparency: detailed project plan and review timeframe are agreed by the reviewed country and OECD Quality: review methodology and analytical framework builds on OECD countries continuous work on e-government

4 Benefits of the review For the reviewed country Provide decision makers with an objective assessment of how a country uses ICT to become more efficient and effective Assist a country to understand how well its e-government goals are aligned with public sector reform objectives Provide proposals for action to policy makers on how to improve their initiatives For external observers Provide an independent evaluation of a country’s accomplishment Provide other countries with experience and good practices in addressing e-government challenges

5 Impacts of reviews Finland (2003) – OECD report is foundation for 2005 reform of Ministry of Finance’s role in co-ordinating e-government Mexico (2005) – OECD findings have justified a decision to invest in developing business case methodologies Norway (2005) – OECD report has sparked a review of co- ordination structures and processes Denmark (2005) – OECD report has lead to a decision to strengthen and integrate e-government activities as part of a broader public sector modernisation agenda in the Ministry of Finance

6 Peer Review Analytical Framework Drivers for e-government (public management reform, information society goals…) Barriers (legal, budgetary, digital divide, infrastructure, competencies) Leadership and coordination (horizontal and vertical across sectors and tiers of government) Implementation (management, organisational structures, skills, capacity…) Collaboration frameworks (CBP, standards, enterprise architecture, inter-connectivity, multi-channel strategies) Outputs and outcomes (G2C, G2B, G2G…) Other areas of focus (e.g. sectoral overviews)

7 Peer Review Process Research Survey Interviews Analysis Peer Review of E-government In United Arab Emirates E-Government objectives: Internal efficiencies? Proactive services to citizens? Reduction of administrative burden for businesses?

8 Major project deliverables A detailed project plan for the review A questionnaire for completion by civil servants A programme of interviews conducted during 2 fact-finding missions A preliminary assessment report A draft report including final assessment and follow up strategic plan for future steps A final published report A status report looking at the status of the implementation of the proposals for action after a given time

9 Project plan (example) Action 1 First meeting with [country] representative(s)/discussion of the analysis framework for the peer review Insert date Action 2 Agreement reached between [country] and the OECD on study proposal and terms of reference; transfer of voluntary contribution to the OECD Insert date Action 3 Provision by [country] of contact information and data sources Insert date Action 4 Background research by the OECD, including a first visit to [country] by OECD e- government staff (Mission 1 - could also take place back-to-back with Mission 2) Insert date Action 5Administration of OECD questionnaireInsert date Action 6 Principal visit to [country] by e-government team, including peer reviewers, for interviews and focus groups (Mission 2) Insert date Action 7Draft preliminary assessmentInsert date Action 8Produce a draft report including final assessment and action plan for future stepsInsert date Action 9Discussion of draft report with OECD and Arab countries at the meting of the GfD Working Group 2 on E-government and Administrative Simplification Insert date Action 10Revision of the draft reportInsert date Action 11 Presentation of final report to [country] ; report published (Mission 3) Insert date Action 12Follow-up short report by OECD Secretariat assessing the status of the implementation of the proposals for action (if requested) Insert date

10 Project Governance

11 Question for discussion How would a peer review of your national e-government initiative help you advance e-government development in your country? How could the proposals for action emerging from the review support the implementation of your national action plan for e- government? How can the review analytical framework be adapted to the e- government development context of Arab countries?