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Directgov is the biggest e-transformation project in the UK, presenting new solutions to cross-government working and sharing of resources.
It is not just a portal linking to government sites, but a freshly written presentation of all government information that is aimed at individual citizens, rather than specialists, policy makers, journalists or businesses. This is a huge coordinated undertaking. For the latest update over 2200 detailed pages of content will be available.
Most government websites mix information for professionals or specialists with information aimed at the public. This project brings together only information for the citizen into a coherent structure, with easy navigation, a friendly tone of voice and consistent branding.
One of its many innovations is a new way of getting Departments to work together. Other cross-government projects have had to fight a tendency for Departments to fight their own corner over policy priorities and main messages. For Directgov, individual Departments agree to take responsibility for delivery of offerings for particular audiences or topics. Other bodies agree to own and approve particular articles in these offerings. To give examples: the offering for Disabled People, headed by the Department for Work and Pensions, has material from 18 Departments. The offering for Parents unites content from 20 Departments.
Alex Butler
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