Integrating Information and Communication Technologies in Development Programmes

Targeting the "Digital Divide" requires an ICT strategy that is embedded in a multifaceted development approach

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) can play a key role in international development cooperation projects. ICT have the potential to reduce poverty by stimulating economic growth, expanding economic and social opportunity, allowing institutions and markets to become more efficient and responsive, and making it easier to obtain access to resources, knowledge and services.

But ICTs can become an effective tool only if they are an integral part of a broader, comprehensive development strategy - at local and national level with the beneficiaries and at a strategic level of the donor organisation which introduces ICT in development cooperation projects.

The concept on "Integrating Information and Communication Technologies in Development Programmes" is further elaborated in the OECD Policy Brief, November 2003

Sustainable ICT deployment at organisational level

It is widely acknowledged that Information and Communication Technology (ICT) should be understood as a prime catalyst for the optimisation of business and project processes. Within these processes ICT has the potential to foster the production and distribution of of data, information and knowledge.
Once the processes are modulated and defined the management of intellectual capital becomes a key element for success.

Sustainable ICT deployment model

Mastering knowledge building as an informated process within an organisation has a major impact on the quality of delivery (e.g. time to market, responsiveness, customer retainment).
This is the reason why today traditional methods of project management and training in development cooperation are benchmarked by the stakeholders against the new potentials of ICT supported approaches. They realize that the new informated business processes are setting new standards and that development programmes for the South need to meet these standards.

Consultancy services

Hoffmann&Reif provides consultancy for the sustainable deployment of ICT and applications for work, management and knowledge building in order to support the development of competitive products and services (see illustration Phase III and IV) in emerging markets of the South.

The services include:

1. Preparation of study, including briefing meetings, liaison with responsible officials, examination of available documentation, identifying areas where data and information is required, organising of mission/s and general preparation.
2. Fact finding/data collection/surveys/workshops for the consultation with stakeholders and identification of problems, beneficiaries, purpose, overall objectives, results Risks, assumptions, preconditions and alternative solutions for the proposed project.
3. Undertaking of analyses (institutional, financial and others) and assessment of proposed project plan and alternative solutions on grounds of relevance, feasibility and sustainability, to include all necessary consultative meetings and/or workshops with key stakeholder groups.
4. Preparation of draft tender and contract dossiers for the proposed technical assistance and of design implications for the infrastructure and equipment components.
5. Preparation and submission of the draft and final feasibility study report, incorporating draft Financing Proposal and design implications and draft tender documents for technical assistance. Debriefing meetings as necessary.