News - e-GIF completed

Interoperability framework completed

May 2002

Achieving the kinds of integrated services that the e-services project and the Review of the Centre are advocating has stimulated development of a framework for agency interoperability.

Version 1 of the New Zealand E-government Interoperability Framework or e-GIF has just been completed, incorporating feedback from 25 agencies. The review of the draft framework by working groups comprising both agency and vendor representatives, and wider consultation through publication on the e-government website, concluded in April.

The framework covers more than just the technical aspects of interoperability, which are based on international standards. The framework also covers policy principles to guide inter-agency initiatives. This includes the need for formal interoperability agreements between agencies, data quality standards, adherence to key legislation like the Privacy Act and other government policies, and the principles governing cost recovery in the establishment of inter-agency initiatives.

The framework also makes recommendations about wide adoption by the public sector and transitional governance arrangements. Ministers are scheduled to consider these recommendations in June, with a view to having the framework mandated and formally implemented from 1 July 2002 onward.

Agencies aren't expected to adopt the standards overnight, but to introduce them as new services and processes are developed or built

Some agencies already interoperate using standards that are not covered in the e-GIF, either because there are compelling reasons to work differently or because a consensus on the appropriate standard hasn't yet been reached internationally. A good example of this is the various Voice-over-Internet protocols - where several technologies are vying for a place as the standard.

It is proposed that the State Services Commissioner be the Steward of the e-GIF. A committee comprising representatives of agencies that have adopted the framework will be established to oversee the ongoing development of the e-GIF on behalf of the Steward. It will be updated to incorporate new standards under the day-to-day management of a custodian, which at least initially is likely to be the E-government Unit of the State Services Commission. Recommendations for changes to the e-GIF will be made by agencies using it, through a working group arrangement similar to that used in the initial development of the e-GIF.