Dubai Smart Government prepares criteria for government entities to transform to smart government

UAE, July 20, 2013: H.E. Ahmad Bin Humaidan, Director General of Dubai Smart Government Department (DSG), has stated that a dedicated team from DSG is developing a set of unified guidelines and policies for transformation into a smart government to ensure the provision of easy to use smart services that meet customers' needs and expectations.

Earlier, DSG met with senior representatives of government entities to discuss the formulation of a unified strategy for transformation into smart government. The attendees unanimously agreed that it was necessary to devise criteria and guidelines for smart services, provided that this task would be discharged by DSG.

Bin Humaidan said: “In completion of our steps to implement the initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and based on our commitment to the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Dubai Crown Prince and Chairman of the Executive Council, for transformation into a smart government, a dedicated team started to conduct research and study global experiences as required to develop 5 policies, guidelines and criteria for circulation to Dubai government entities with the aim of formulating a unified strategy for transformation into smart government, to achieve the objective set by HH Sheikh Mohammed for enabling all government services whose nature allows them to be provided and used via smart phones within 24 months.”

He clarified that DSG would ensure that these documents will be aligned with the policies and guidelines issued by the UAE Federal Government.  These documents are important because they contain guidelines that enhance the smart government's readiness, ensure the high-quality of the government services provided through smart platforms and use a unified reference for the smart phone services of the local entities. They are:

1) Smart Service Definition Document: A dedicated team will revise the existing Service Definition document to incorporate new definitions and terminology of mobile government services that allow mobile end-to-end service maturity and adoption to be tracked. This document will be used as the basis for defining and monitoring the progress of mobile services in Dubai Government. (1st draft planned for July 31st, 2013).

2) Smart Services Implementation Planning Guidelines: This document will define a framework for government entities to utilize in prioritizing their mobile services and adapting and modifying services based on their own needs. DSG will include a simple high-level planning tool which will aid in deciding which aspects of the service will be mobilized and through what mechanism. (1st draft planned for July 31st, 2013).

3) Smart Services Implementation Policy: This policy will define mobile reference architecture to be used by government entities while developing their mobile services such as mobile authentication, mobile payment and mobile data exchange. (1st draft planned for July 31st, 2013).

4) Smart Services Mobile Secure Development Guidelines: These guidelines will allow Dubai government entities to incorporate certain security practices while developing their mobile services in order to ensure customers' trust in, satisfaction and adoption of these services. This guideline will complement and supplement the formerly issued Dubai Government Information Security Regulation by addressing mobile services development security specific issues. (1st draft planned for September 30th, 2013).

5) Smart Services Mobile User Interface and Experience Guidelines: This document will provide certain guidelines to enhance the quality of mobile services provided by Dubai Government. It intends to address various issues regarding usability, content, user experience, etc. for mobile services. DSG is planning to use these guidelines to conduct mobile services quality evaluations in due course. (1st draft planned for October 31st, 2013)..