Delivery of effective mobile government: The case of Oman - Coursework Example

Kamal AL Rashdi      Draft Project Toward Delivery of effective mobile government: The case of Oman    and year:     Client Organization: Information Technology Authority (ITA)    Client contact name:     Project supervisor:  Project Title Toward Delivery of effective mobile government: The case of Oman Project environment The information and communications technology (ICT) industry is gradually developing Oman’s technology infrastructure and adopted a vehicle called the information technology authority in 2006. OmanTEL and Narwas were formed to administer the m-government services.  Information Technology Authority (ITA) being the main client is poised in implementing the national information technology infrastructure through setting up projects and ensuring close supervision with regard to the execution of the digital Oman strategy thus enabling quality leadership and direction for the sultanate of Oman. The ITA has a responsibility to the people of Oman in taking well secured information to all the stake holders. Currently, the sultanate currently faces challenges of providing efficient and timely services to all. A solution this problem is pegged on integrating its processes and increasing efficiency of service delivery to its people. Background of Problem Statement Mobile technology taunted to radicalize the dispensation of government services in the sultanate of Oman. It is also expected to positively affect e-government service delivery as well. M-Government information has allowed effective service delivery in Oman. E-government and m-government services have been popularized especially in the third world countries as a way of advancement in technology. Many research studies have investigated how the government and the people of Sultanate of Oman are adopting m-government services. Indeed, existing literature has explored deeper into the popularity of m-government applications and services. This is as a result of the government effectiveness in provision of better and good services. However, there is little evidence on the government’s investment on the m-government through the exploration of feasibility and viability of mobile government in the sultanate of Oman, to find out if there is need to comprehend the underlying concepts, mobile computing and mobile governance and determine its impact on Oman government. Identifying and comparing national mobile projects and evaluating the levels of efficacy and overall outcome are also important. This concept can help develop a model based on such analysis in tandem with the needs and opportunities present in the case of Oman government and outline the challenges to mobile governances. In effect it will identify success factors of mobile government and provide solutions that can address each of them. Government leadership may have complexities owing to its unique features necessitating more studies in these areas likely to address the impact of mobile technology. This is the quest by government of the sultanate of Oman to increase productivity, efficiency and improve effectiveness. M-government entails a strategy and carrying out of government services via a mobile mode to its users who happen to be citizens and government civil servants. This will have a great advantage of enabling users obtain services at their convenience, anytime and anywhere. Employing m-government is crucial in the use of new technology through tailor made services and content delivery. The project will be keen in seeking for a more convenient access and availability. Besides, it will look into the accurateness and personalization in identifying users and content. The power of reach will also be important in reaching many people including those who have no training or experience in the use of technology like computers and internet yet commonly use the mobile primarily for voice communication. Breakdown of Tasks M-government project can be broken down into individual elements in hierarchical method. Task Subtask Work package Data collection Sampling Questionnaires, interviews, sampling methods Analysis Measures of dispersion, central tendency and inferential techniques. Delivery channels Modes of delivery Determines the appropriate channel with more effectiveness Cost lower running and operational costs. Impact Tests Final outcomes measured against initial performance and evaluate effectiveness of delivery methods used Project deliverables Deliverable 1: Work Data Data collection is a basic process and so crucial in decision making and the strength guiding such decisions. It goes alongside precise presentation, analysis and interpretation. Workload data for in many instances demands high sampling frequency for errors to be minimized. The data collection sufficient for a specification project needs Inventory data collection- method, effectiveness, and population reached and Workload collection: power of push and pull. Critically, any data collected does not have to suit a convention of channel design. There are instances where inventory data may constitute altered values like components of channels used. Workload data similarly may contain flaws arising from institutional server shutdown or situational network connectivity problems. Therefore performance data obtained from servers with different configurations makes comparison difficult only if data is brought to normal. It is difficult to compare data utilization of processors with varieties with respect to type and number unless good estimate is given to sever performance. In addition, project analysis phase is tricky if servers under consideration have multiple channels with corresponding multiple data points. Deliverable 2: Gateway Features Features are important in enhancing the functionality of the m-government project. The features are inbuilt to comprise newsletters, gallery containing images that can be uploaded and downloaded more easily. Other deliverables to include the autosuggest search, presence of e-books and other quick vote options. The functionality is an element most important in addressing the competence and capability of the service to be access through many channels. E-mail and telephone communications users can have online case management or contact centre chat. Integrated Model maps provide users with a more or robust interactive tool for mapping in the search for government entities. Deliverable 3: M-Government Service Content There is a great interest in enhancing the m-government features so as to be always up-to-date. Quality of the service provided is equally important and are influenced by content quality and the depth of information. This allows for many documents to be updated in various departments. Live streaming is enabled on the gateway and dubbed as major events. Deliverable 4: M-government Integrated Service Utility Integration is based on best practice of the government gateway platform. M-services will be fully integrated to provide uniformity in government entity websites. Authentication of these users platform enables one off registration and perpetual access to government entity secured websites. Upgrades are therefore made based on the underlying technology and the gateway infrastructure for ease of requests and updates. This will also comprise overhaul and addition of modern functionalities as web and mobile services. Lack of concise mathematical model of virtual data access by citizens requires application of a rigorous approach. There are checklists to be used to include all factors. Methodological approach will ensure performance critical steps in the correct order. Methods and checklists are founded on experience to which reviews and improvements are made. Reading from social perspective, in existence are sciences requiring no quantitative approach like case studies which are rigorous, gives in-depth insights and does not need quantification. IT professionals ought to follow serious and in-depth case studies. Requirements a) Powerful mobile devices - Hand held devices have enhanced the continued use of mobile communication technologies. Mobile phones presently are not only used for voice and short text communication but have added uses in internet and other applications. Constitution of the mobile services should be compatible with each other form, fitness, and use. Service components comprises hardware and system, facilities, system support, routine replacements, procurements, parts availability, learning, resource needs, process data, extrinsic system, and other features aiding mission implementation. Constantly increasing set of supported features enhances its functionality due to gradual popularization of miniature components like touch screens and battery technology. b) Participants – this is important in propositioning m-government services in relation to how the participant is involved in the service or procedure. Government, business and the citizens are the major participants. Every group to function to meet some greater goals and objectives with non repetitive roles. In effect, focus groups do need repetition of functions transcendent on many data methods used. In addition, systems like networks may comprise similar components. The contribution of elements in the whole systems should be clearly defined. Each method should be positioned for operational and performance audit through analysis, development, random tests, verification and validation. c) Transactions – this influences information or message publishing and broadcasting to end-users. Replies may not be necessary. Transactional may happen in either direction i.e. sender to recipient and vice versa. These communication increases the capacities of service functions which may not be attained if the channels are to function solely. Operational services streamline functions within government. d) User interface: given various limitations of communication over web, many m-government services make use of mobile enabled services in the form of short message service (SMS). This constitutes no-web m-government others are the voice I/O. The issues related to communication via this mode influences costs of operations, use, compliance, access and efficiency require that individual systems tasks and operation add value to its own inputs and enable outputs that give rise to the entire systems goals and objectives. e) Reliable information and communication channel: this is a requirement in determination of what to do. M-communication is geared to improving communication between government and its people thus reliable information and communication channel. M-services influence m-transactions and payments allowing processing of transactions. M-democracy and m-administration involves improvement of democratic participation among its citizens and improvement of internal government roles and operations respectively. With each system having a defined roles and use to the users, its existence remains a great measure in cost benefit analysis. Compared to fulfilling needs of the operations or goals and objectives. f) Defined national operational environment: refers to the need to prescribe a bounded system operational environment if there is desire for high economic benefits and sustainability. g) Data on Mobile Markets: available data should provide information on future telephone needs and expectations. This helps in determining the emphasis on significant rise in mobile telephone subscriptions. It seeks to identify greatest growth in markets. Data is also crucial in determining mobile penetration while comparing developed and developing countries. Legal, ethical, professional, social issues Professionalism is bestowed on good values and ethics inculcated in a project undertaking helps identify and minimize legal and professional costs likely to be incurred in its failure to comply. Ethical issues observed embody the moral framework with which the data and the entire study are founded. This involves upholding the welfare and dignity of the people who will participate in the project undertaking. It is the project manager’s responsibility and obligation to protect project stakeholders from any possible harm, physical and mental discomfort as well as unnecessary risks that may occur in the process of carrying out research procedure. A project undertaking likely to pose danger to those who are taking part in it should be inhibited unless in rare situations when the potential benefits outweigh the risks as long as informed consent is issued. It is expected to have ethics in carrying out their work as well as treating the participants with integrity. Project managers are only allowed to perform what they have been authorized and any violation of such protocol may result in prosecution or legal proceedings. If in any case a project undertaking requires a special population, for instance, the elderly, children and the disable, it is the responsibility of the project manager to consult with the relevant authorities in obtaining a sufficient clearance after satisfying required conditions. Acceptable norms are generally present in any project undertaking. The project phasing process therefore may create tension between the fundamental aims of implementing and the rights of stakeholders to have a say in project administration. Ethics therefore pertains to being on the right side of societal good and avoiding potential harm. Harm in a project undertaking can be eliminated by application of the necessary ethical principles. Thus, the full protection of individual participants in any project undertaking is imperative. Human rights violations have been recorded in scientific research which essentially has gone down in history to be some of the darkest events in pursuit of knowledge (Munhall 1988, 150-162). It is true that the protection of the rights of people participating in a project should be the most important mandate of the project manager; any project undertaking should be principally guided by respect for individuals and justice. Respect for participants calls for full recognition of the rights of team members which encompasses the fundamental right to get adequate information as far as the study is concerned, the right to decide without conditions whether to take part in a study as well as the right to decline participation without notice. In this project, this communication, integrity and transparency will be greatly adhered to through informed consent that essentially calls for striking a reasonable balance giving out information. The following should be sought: Courtesy: Approach each project team members with courtesy and polite language Voluntary response: Administer questionnaires to willing respondents. Accountability and transparency: Involve actively all project team selection and hiring irrespective of age, gender, creed, color, religion and other biased characteristics. Privacy: Hold any team member’s private and confidential details unless requires sharing. Communication: Communicate all project information more precisely and appropriately to all team members. Safety: Ensure safety of all field study materials and procedures. Sincerity: Present un-manipulated or unaltered project objectives and goals therefore respecting the views of teams. The proposal generally includes a comprehensive description of the nature and purpose of carrying out the project, planning and implementation as well briefing them on what to expect on the project. This is followed by a sample consent form as a proof of legality of participation. Facilities and resources  Traditional services 1. Face-to-face contact 2. Human delivered services. 3. Computer technology transformation process M-service integrated 1. Value-added networks 2. Personal computers (PCs) 3. Internet M-service a) Automated user responses b) CMA c) Mobile handsets d) PDAs e) Portal devices Social a) User awareness b) Pricing structure c) System security d) Trust e) Usability All the above needs a budgetary allocation to meet both component or material purchase and non-tangible budget to be used in sensitization and delivery of information. A substantial budget is in enabler network that will reach all citizens and government employees alike. Project plan A time line in this project is important in delivery and effective changes or events happening over a period of definition to the implementation dates. No Activity Definitions Sequence Labor needs Duration 1 Listing Inventory requirements List all user enable phones and accessories required Start in June 2012 end 21June 2012 Knowledge on phone memory and functionality 15 days 2 Market Research Questionnaires, interview schedules, reports Start 22 June 2012 end 26 July 2012 Research methods, analytical techniques 25 days 3 Recruitment and selection of staff Interviews and appointments 27 July 2012 end 9 August 2012 Academic knowledge in IS, choice of quality staff 10 days 4 Gate way content Creation of gateway artifacts 22 June 2012 to 12 July 2012 Working knowledge in mobile phone design 15 days 5 Testing and audit Troubleshooting and inspection 10 August 2012 to 12 September 2012 24 days 24 days 6 Training citizens and businesses Instruction and guidance modules 13 September 2012 to 28 September 2012 Teaching and instructional expertise 12 days Risks associated with delivery of e-government services Description of Risks Impact Degree of Impact (L,M,H) Response plan Increased set-up fees for SMS Citizens not likely to like the service H Reduce set-up costs for SMS Poor connectivity in remote areas Inability to access service H Enable good connectivity countrywide Additional servers required Increases project installation costs M Procure high memory, high processor PCs Conclusion The m-government project is easy and effective to implement as it reaches many people akin to having a phone and utilizing the SMS service. It’s the most appropriate less costly method for consideration by the government of the sultanate of Oman. Project mode Registration mode Full Time Project mode Full Time Planned submission deadline Signatures Signature: Date: Student: Client: Project supervisor: References Cranston, P 2009, The potential of mobile devices in wireless environments to provide e-services for positive social and economic change in rural communities, CTA. Read More