E-government concerns unite professions

Three industry bodies are collaborating to combat fears surrounding the 'soundness' of local authority e-government programmes.

Their concerns focus on the 'soft skills', such as influencing decision makers, leadership and change management, all of which must be improved if local authorities are to get the most out of e-government, according to Tony Riding, principal associate for the Society of IT Management (Socitm).

Socitm has teamed up with the Society of Local Authority Chief Executives and Senior Managers and the Society Of Personnel Officers In Local Government to produce a model approach.

Riding said the collaboration is evidence of a changing mindset as e-government is seen as more than just an IT issue.

"We used to just influence the IT managers," he said. "We are now working with chief executives, human resources and IT people to identify how e-government should be managed.

"We have investigated a number of ad hoc arrangements in local authorities to develop a best practice framework for [delivering] e-government."

John Griffiths, consulting director at IT services company Compusys, which works with hundreds of local authorities, said the IT industry is not well known for its "soft skills".

"Local government is very good at addressing, or attempting to address, this type of issue and although it may take some time it will get there in the end," he said.