|
Trends in state government
administration of technology services primarily has focused
on efforts to centralize administration, supplanting to varying
degrees the traditional organizational structure of state governments that
allowed individual departments and agencies the freedom to administer
their own services, typically through their own departmental
data processing, information technology or communications staff.
As technology has
become a more significant factor for the operation of state
agencies and their programs, there has been a gradual shift
toward centralizing these services to achieve economies of
scale; to establish a more professional technology staff;
and to develop compatible equipment and systems across all
state agencies. Some states have adopted master plans outlining
specific goals and timetables for performance (e.g.
Maryland;
Washington)
Another aspect of
this trend toward centralization and consolidation is the
creation of a single point of administration for state information
technology services, either through a designated department,
inter-departmental committee (eg
Kansas, Delaware)
or member of the governor's
staff (New Jersey). This organization is similar to the shift
in organizational structure in large private sector corporations,
where the increase in importance of information and communications
technology has elevated the role and significance of the chief
information or technology officer to the status of a key member
of senior management.
Additional sources
for information the organization and administration of electronic
government and information technology include the National
Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO),
the
Council
of State Governments;
the National Governors Association;
and the National Council of
State Legislatures. Media sources include Government
Technology and Federal
Computer Week.
Washington
State Digital Government Plan
Recipient
of a 2001
Outstanding Achievement Award in the category of State
Planning and Management Initiatives
from the National Association
of Chief Information Officers, the
Washington
State Digital Government Plan outlines specific
steps state agencies must take to use the Internet to deliver
government services and information; coordinate the development
of infrastructure, policy and internet applications among
governmental bodies; achieve a "one face" state
government that delivers user-friendly online information
and services; and promote the use of technology within government
to improve the efficiency of state operations. The Plan
seeks to pursue a "build it once" strategy in which
agencies avoid duplication of effort, adhere to common standards
and use a common infrastructure.
Maryland Internet
Policy Recommendations
and
Information Technology
Master Plan
Developed by the Maryland Information
Technology Board,
Maryland Internet Policy Recommendations includes various
recommendations on how the state should promote public and
private sector electronic technology and commerce. Also recommends
specific goals for agencies to make services available to
the public over the Internet, with 50% of services available
in 2002 and a goal of 80% by 2004.
Maryland's Information Technology Master Plan directs
the chief information officer of each State agency to prepare
a master plan for that agency. The state agency master plan
describes how the agency will achieve the information technology
goals established in the
Maryland Information Technology Master Plan.
Delaware
Executive Order No.
9
The "first
state online" according to the proud boast on the Delaware
home page, Governor Ruth Ann Minner signed Executive
Order No. 9 on January 22, 2001, creating a permanent
E-Government Steering Committee "...to coordinate the
state's Internet presence by creating a uniform set of standards
for state agency web sites".
Kansas
Information Technology Council
The Kansas Information Technology Council, established
by various statutes
and executive orders, is comprised of 17 members
appointed by the Governor responsible for adopting information
technology resource policies and procedures and project management
methodologies for all state agencies, the legislature and
the judiciary. Its members include the chief information technology
officers of the executive, legislative and judicial branches;
the commissioner of education; city and county representatives;
the network manager of the information network of Kansas;
and three private sector representatives who are chief executive
officers or chief information technology officers. The Council
coordinates development of telecommunications systems, networks
and equipment; standards for data management; and a strategic
information technology management plan for the state. It also
designates the ownership of information resource processes
and the lead agency for implementation of new technologies
and networks shared by multiple agencies in different branches
of state government.
California
e-gov
Established by an
Executive Order of Governor Davis in 2000, the California
e-gov initiative set timetables for expanding Internet
services and implementing improvements to make public information
more accessible. It also directed the state's Department of
Information Technology, the Department of Personnel Administration,
and the State Personnel Board to develop coordinated approaches
to address the recruitment, retention, training and personal
development of information technology professionals in the
state.
Go to next page Politics,
Elections, Legislatures
|
.jpg)
