8.2. Gap Analysis: Public Communication...Gap Analysis: Public Communication and Outreach

9. STEP 4: Defining the Strategy

The purpose of gap analysis in the ICT area is to look at the enabling technology, applications, systems and information technology processes that are available versus that would be necessary for the parliament to realize its vision and strategic goals and objectives.

Basically the ICT gap analysis requires a number of inputs including an inventory of the ICT infrastructure, hard- and software, and services available to the parliament, as well as an overview of the needs from departments, clients, user-groups, etc. These needs should come from the description of the vision, goals and objectives. In carrying out the gap-analysis the enabling environment should also be factored in, in terms of ICT policies, available technology, level of standardization and compatibility of systems, but also how ICT is operationalized in terms of planning and development. Again the majority of these inputs have already been gathered in Steps 1 and 2. The process maps and SWOT analysis from Step 1 will here be particularly useful.

Addressing the Challenges

The fits and gaps should be listed accordingly in a first table (similar to Appendix ICT 3.1 and Template 3.1) for each area of ICT, and after further analysis the more structural underlying causes - challenges - listed indicating their impact (similar to Appendix ICT 3.2 and Template 3.2)

Challenges may include such things as: outdated hard and software; different operating systems and incompatible applications across different sections and departments; insufficient training in the use of ICT; insufficient capacity within parliament to provide technical or operational support for the ICT infrastructure and systems etc.

8.2. Gap Analysis: Public Communication...Gap Analysis: Public Communication and Outreach

9. STEP 4: Defining the Strategy