	Background

Electronic government (e-government) intersects many legislative issues, including privacy,digital divide (the lack of equal access to computers, whether due to a lack of financial resources ornecessary skills), public access to government information, service delivery, and informationsecurity. E-government solutions are prominently represented in efforts to improve the managementand efficiency of government information technology resources. To help policymakers discern e-government initiatives relative totheir applications to various issues, this report identifies and defines the principal e-governmentsectors and phases of development. This report also outlines some of the major issue opportunitiesand challenges associated with e-government. Some observers define e-governmentin terms of specific actions: using a government kiosk to receive job information, applying forSocial Security benefits through a web site, or creating shared databases for multiple agencies, asexamples. Other observers define e-government more generally as automating the delivery ofgovernment services. The Gartner Group describes e-governmentas "the continuous optimization of service delivery, constituency participation, and governance bytransforming internal and external relationships through technology, the Internet, and new media." (4) However, oneof the hallmarks of a federal system of governance is the emphasis on vertical divisions of power. In contrast, e-government initiatives utilize information technologies that emphasize a horizontal,or networked, model of communication and interaction. While e-government is designed, in part,to break down the barriers separating different agencies, it could also have a similar effect on theboundaries of federal governance. Sectors of E-Government

Although e-government encompasses a wide range of activities and actors, three distinct sectorscan be identified. These include government-to-government (G2G), government-to-business (G2B),and government-to-citizen (G2C). However, for a variety of technical,economic, and political reasons, it will take time for these initiatives to evolve into their fullpotential. Usingthis schema, there are four stages of evolution; presence, interaction, transaction, and transformation. Increased Citizen Participation. Improved National Information Infrastructure. Potential Challenges to E-Government

On the other hand, despite the potential opportunities for the implementation of e-government initiatives, there are a number of challenges that could prevent the realization of these anticipatedbenefits. Privacy. Disparities in Computer Access. Some of these responsibilities include: advising the Director of OMB on IRM resources and strategies; providing "overallleadership and direction on electronic government"; promoting the effective and innovative use ofinformation technology by agencies especially through multiagency collaborative projects;administering and distributing funds from the E-Government Fund (discussed in greater detailbelow); consulting with GSA "to promote electronic government and the efficient use of informationtechnologies by agencies"; leading activities on behalf of the Deputy Director of Management, whoserves as the Chair of the CIO Council; assisting the Director "in establishing policies which shallset the framework for information technology standards" to be developed by the National Institutefor Standards and Technology"; sponsoring an ongoing dialogue with federal, state, local, and triballeaders to encourage collaboration and enhance consultation on information technology bestpractices and innovation; promoting electronic procurement initiatives; and implementingaccessibility standards.
Electronic government (e-government) intersects many legislative issues, including privacy, digital divide (the lack of equal access to computers, whether due to a lack of financial resources ornecessary skills), public access to government information, service delivery, and informationsecurity. E-government solutions are prominently represented in efforts to improve the managementand efficiency of government information technology resources. To help policymakers discerne-government initiatives relative to their role in various issues, this report identifies and defines theprincipal e-government sectors and stages of development. It also outlines some of the opportunitiesand challenges associated with e-government.
Some observers define e-government in terms of specific actions such as using a kiosk to receive job information, or applying for Social Security benefits through a web site. Other observersdefine e-government more generally as automating the delivery of government services. Whileperceptions vary widely, one organization, The Gartner Group, summarizes e-government as "thecontinuous optimization of service delivery, constituency participation, and governance bytransforming internal and external relationships through technology, the Internet, and new media."
E-government initiatives could have implications for federalism. One of the hallmarks of a federal system of governance is the emphasis on vertical divisions of power. In contrast,e-government initiatives utilize information technologies that emphasize a horizontal, or networked,model of communication and interaction. While e-government is designed, in part, to dissolve thebarriers separating different agencies, it could also have a similar effect on the boundaries of federalgovernance.
Although e-government encompasses a wide range of activities and actors, three distinct sectors can be identified. These include government-to-government (G2G), government-to-business (G2B),and government-to-citizen (G2C). Each of these sectors represents a different combination ofmotivating forces and initiatives. However, some common goals include improving the efficiency,reliability, and quality of services for the respective constituency groups.
Due to a variety of technical, economic, and political reasons, e-government initiatives take time to evolve into their full potential. Consequently, one can divide e-government projects into fourstages of evolution: presence, interaction, transaction, and transformation. Each successive stagerepresents an augmented capability to provide information and services as interactive transactionsonline.
Finally, proponents and critics of e-government recognize that there are a variety of opportunities and challenges involved with the successful implementation of e-governmentinitiatives. Some of the potential opportunities include new services, increased citizen participationin government, and an enhanced national information infrastructure. Some of the potentialchallenges include information security and privacy, disparities in computer access, and managementand funding requirements. This report will be updated as events warrant.