Difference between revisions of "Technology"

Revision as of 22:23, 8 July 2006

We will not attempt to list here every Information and Communication Technology (ICT) that might be used within a public consultation. Instead we will explain a way you can go about selecting appropriate technologies for e-consultation.

• Selecting technologies
• Technology classification

Older notes, not yet included in main text

1. What are the various technologies I could use to
   1. Publicise the e-consultation. (Email campaign)
   2. Stay in contact & update participants. (Mailling list, periodic newsletter)
   3. Get their views. (Online discussion forum, online line feedback forms)
   4. Collective writing. (Wiki pages, group report authoring tools)
   5. Conduct a survey. (Online questionnaire authoring tools)
   6. Organise meetings.
   7. Consult over long distnaces. (Online chat, audio/video conferencing)
2. What are the various technologies & what are they used for?

• Supporting dialogues

  Realtime 'chat'
  - systems that allow people to converse with others at the same time, reacting immediately to each other, wherever they happen to be
  - e.g. chat rooms, text messaging, audio and video conferencing.

  Ongoing discussions
  - these allow people to take part in a longer discussion over several days or weeks, joining in whenever they have time
  - e.g. discussion forums, e-mail mailing lists, e-newsletter and virtual worlds.

• Exploring problems and planning solutions

  Use computer tools such as gropu support system to
  - organise an agenda-driven meeting
  - allow lots of people to brainstorm ideas at the same time, without having to wait their turn to speak
  - allow pseudo-anonymity, so people are less afraid of coming up with creative, but risky ideas
  - help map out the issues discussed and the options identified. 

• Measuring needs and preferences

  Use computer tools to publish online survey, collect and analyse results
  Use computer tools to conduct electronic voting

• Writing Documents

  A collaborative writing method   
  - with computer software running on a server
  - several people can work on the same document at the same time 
  - writing different parts of it, then editing each other's work

1. Where can I get information on the technology and technical knowledge that I will need in order to engage in E-consultation?

Technology selection process

• Define your needs (Why you need a consultation technology)
  • Define consultation case
    • Description: a short explanation of the consultation activity
    • Reasons: a description of the needs why this consultation activity should be taken
    • Assumptions: All the assumptions to make this consultation activity
    • Benefits: List of benefits for consulting organisation and participant
    • Cost: How much it cost to run this consultation activity
    • Investment: Can this consultation activity will be taken in future
• Define your selection criteria (Criteria for Technology selection)
  • Vendor stability and reputation (support)
  • Wide adoption in market
  • Does it require any possible changes to meet stack holders needs
  • Secure and mature/proven technology
  • Training and documentation
  • Actual implementation of the technology
  • Technology accessibility standards
• List of matching technologies
• Select the best suited for you
  • Good description of technology
  • Infrastructure required (network)
  • Platforms (operating systems, hardware)
  • Architectural Integrity (Interaction with other technology, Would it possible to integrate with other technology?)
  • Fitness for purpose (Is it meeting purpose envisaged?)
  • Expertise (What knowledge should be available in-house, Maintenance and support)
  • Maturity of Standard (Is the technology mature and well-proven)
  • User needs (Does the technology satisfy the user requirements and Matching stack holders requirements)
  • Preservation needs (Is technology is appropriate for long-term preservation)
  • Budget (time, money)