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Information Communication Technology

Information Communication technology (ICT) has emerged as an enabler for growth and development of a developing nation, provided the right policy measures and enabling environment are in place.

IPE has been encouraging proper use of ICT for improved governance and enhanced satisfaction of the customers served by its clients. In many instances we have offered innovative solutions to our clients for deployment of ICT for effective monitoring purposes. This results in development of user-friendly tailor made software / applications that is not only useful, but also ‘used in full’.

At IPE, we believe that ICT offers a unique and innovative window to enhance our systems, build in efficiency and create simple accountability mechanisms. We also believe that the digital divide, characterized by highly unequal access to and use of ICT will reduce over time, making ICT the single biggest unifier of the various population groups.  Hence we look at ICT both as a supply (i.e. government) issue as well as a demand (i.e. consumer, citizen) issue. To see some of our projects in this practice area, please click here.

Our cycle of ICT development is based on the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC) model as below:

Needs assessment

The first step towards developing an ICT-based solution is to identify the requirements of the client. Usually accompanied by a Business Process Re-engineering (BPR) study, at this stage, we work out an ‘As is’ situation and a ‘To be’ model. This is the first step in moving towards changes in the system and processes.

Systems Analysis

Based on the Needs Assessment and feedback from the client, we go into a detailed functional analysis of the system and the needs of the software. At this stage, our professional experts in systems analysis are involved to ensure that the ICT solution proposed is:

• Feasible i.e. within the organisational, technological and financial competence of the organization
• Practical i.e. will be accepted and used both by the departmental users and the citizens / consumers
• Simple i.e. does not make things more difficult than they are, and does not duplicate or replicate already existing procedures

Software / Functional Requirement Specification

Based on this analysis, we develop Functional and Software Requirement Specifications (SRS) which are then used by the developers for coding the software. Our business logic developed in the SRS stage is comprehensive enough for easy development of software but more importantly, is made entirely scalable and built in components allowing changes when needed.

A unique feature of our SRS has been the insistence on simplification of procedures, reducing the number of clicks / moves needed to enter data, user friendliness of the software and auto-analysis of responses / data entered. We pride ourselves in making ‘solutions that are used’ rather than ‘software that is useful’.

We also incorporate data and programming security features so as to maintain confidentiality of data and programmes used by the client.

Oversight of software development

We have a team of associated software developers with good understanding of system design, government systems and practical issues in software developed for Government to Government (G2G) and Government to Citizen (G2C) models. We work closely with this team and / or any other development team in explaining the various aspects of system design and software issues. Our oversight of software development ensures that the systems are developed in line with the specifications and reduces the time needed for modifications later on. At this stage too, our entire focus is on making the software user friendly and useful.

At IPE, we believe that software solutions should be effective, not necessarily expensive. Hence, our preference for open source and free software which not only reduces the costs but also allows modifications and cross-platform functionality. Similarly, keeping in mind the emerging technologies, we ensure that our software is web-based and has compatibility with mobile technology and other emerging trends.

Testing

Our system design specialists are also adept at black box testing of the software developed. Their domain expertise and use of case data for testing are well researched, documented and cover the entire breadth of possibilities.

Based on the testing results, bugs are identified, system enhancement requests raised and even modifications in business logic are suggested, where needed. By using software for technical reporting, testing and bug reporting, we are able to have a full documentation of the process.

Deployment

Software implementation in a government / public sector process is a ‘socio-technical’ process – it does not matter how technically good the software is, what matters is how well do the people accept it, adopt it and use it. (Refer Box) Hence in deployment, our major challenge is not in making new releases, but in ensuring that the people start using them well. This requires much lesser technology management, and much more people management.

For this, we conduct orientation, training and demo sessions including developing online Computer Based Training (CBT) videos to help users in different parts of the state / country learn the software on their own. By using web-based technologies, we are able to ensure simultaneous release of newer versions across the state / country. Finally, we also offer telephonic support and actually go out to the field to handhold implementation and rollout of the system.

Implementing Practical Solutions In order to achieve a comprehensive financial planning and reporting, a proper system needs to be in place. For the Department of Health & family Welfare, Government of West Bengal we have tried to achieve this by designing a software which will carry out the following functions: Online planning, approval and review of block, district, state and multiple year (MTEF) plans including links to State Budgets and PIPs; Provide a comprehensive financial position including on and off budget funds, sector wise spend, district allocations and budget; Allow districts / blocks to upload data about Statements of Expenditure (SoE) and Utilisation Certificates (UCs) Provide monitoring reports on the overall financial position and output progress

Our success lies in the fact that we see the working of a reasonably good software for government as a bigger success than the design of a perfect software that is not used by them. And that has been the reason for our success in this area – practicality over predictability.

Innovation

One of our core areas of success has been with untied technical assistance

where we have helped our partners identify their needs and provide innovative solutions to their latent needs so that they can benefit the most. One such example has been the Dashboard Monitoring System used in West Bengal Health Sector currently (Refer Box).

The simplicity, visual effect and immediate action points identification by the software makes it easy for executive decision making by the health department officials and people alike.

Dashboard for health monitoring As part of TAST in West Bengal, we developed a dashboard for integrating various programmes and shifting the focus to district rather than programmatic performance. The simple colour coding from Red (critical) to Green (good) immediately identifies areas for attention.

E-governance

e-Governance is indeed the way of the future, where systems are increasingly automated, accessible and efficient. We help our clients adopt e-governance by developing a feasible plan for their implementation depending on the scope, technological capability and phased needs of the department / citizens.

Our E-governance solutions are need based with specific components and are scalable so that various departments / agncies can adopt them at different points on the e-evolution ladder.

GIS mapping

We have also been helping governments / agencies which own land (such as municipalities, development authorities) develop a credible database of their assets through proper Geographical Information System (GIS) mapping of properties. This is also useful for spatial planning, property tax management and infrastructure development.

With our technical partners, we help in identifying the methodology, process and survey parameters, oversee the data collection, entry and reporting systems and ensure that the software is usable by the client to answer the queries that they may have.

Website Development

A website is not only a showcase of the department / government but a potent awareness, community building and Grievance Redressal mechanism. The requirements of the Right to Information (RTI) Act have mandated government agencies to disclose some information on the web – we take this as the starting point for website development. Our effort is to make the website the public face of the department reducing the need for face to face interaction to the extent possible. We use this website to build communities of like minded people and / or people in a related field so that their concerted efforts are channelized towards attainment of the governance objectives.

For this, we are well aware of the NIC guidelines, security audit requirements and hosting stipulation on NIC servers.