Structuring risk in e-government development projects using a causal model

Government (E-Gov) projects are increasingly being implemented worldwide. However, the risk management literature relating to E-Gov development projects is minimal compared with traditional Information System (IS) development projects. The success or failure of such projects depends on a number ofobstacles to be overcome. Traditionally project actors use checklist, brainstorming, questionnaires, and workshop/focus-group to identify risk in IS development projects, and this research uses a similar approach applied in E-Gov development projects. This experiment investigates and attempts to use a causal core model known as CorMod to facilitate the applicability of applying a causal core model in a workshop/focus group environment to enhance the identification and analysis process of risk in the early stages of E-Gov development projects. The model/tool was based on the techniques of causal mapsand has been used previously in three different traditional case studies of IS development projects with encouraging results. The model/tool combines different approaches such as brainstorming, questionnaires, and workshop/focus-groups. These methods have been used in IS traditional development projects,however, this research is concerned with their applicability within E-Gov development projects. Onefeature of CorMod is its ability to structure risk factors in development projects. This experiment,using CorMod, was conducted in the early stages of a large scale E-Gov development project based in Kuwait. The case study was conducted at a government agency within the government of Kuwait in chargeonexecuting the national E-Gov program in the country. One main objective of this experiment is to improve the assessment of risk management approach in E-Gov development projects.