Strategic e-Government planning : lessons from direct applications of standard SISP methodologies

This research evaluates the appropriateness of direct application of current strategic information systems planning (SISP) methodologies for strategic e-government planning. Rapid advances in technology and globalization put a high demand on e-government initiatives. Without other readily available tools, SISP methodologies, which are designed for the private sector, have been quickly occupying spaces in egovernment planning. Government agencies, however, have been experiencing a high number of strategic egovernment project failures. We conjecture that one reason is existing SISP methodologies were developed for private profit-seeking firms. There are significant differences between private and public organizations in structures, processes and resources. Not all SISP methodologies can be directly applied for e-government planning. e-Government managers thus encounter challenges in how to adopt private sector SISP methodologies for governmental agencies. The current paper reviews, analyses, and evaluates the key SISP prescriptions for strategic e-government planning. We found that standard SISP methodologies can assist in achieving: top management commitment; wide coverage of stakeholders; appropriate planner selection criteria and planning cycles in order to support e-government projects. SISP methodologies cannot effectively deal with the following issues for e-government project success: addressing bureaucratic red tape processes and fluctuation of business goals; generating top management participation; identifying and securing the necessary skills and competences; defining MIS roles and structures, roles of planners and external consultants; and getting adequate planning resources.