E-GIF

e-GIF is the UK eGovernment Interoperability Framework.

It is an ambitious exercise intended to resolve and prevent (or at least minimise) problems arising from incompatible content of different computer systems.

What are the aims of e-GIF?

* to enable the seamless flow of information across government/ Public Service Organisations.
* to set practical standards using stable well supported products.
* to provide support, guidance and toolkits to enable the standards to be met.
* to provide a long term strategy that is able to accommodate and adapt.

Key e-GIF policies

* alignment with the Internet: the universal adoption of common specifications used on the Internet and World Wide Web for all public sector information systems
* adoption of XML as the primary standard for data integration and presentation tools for all public sector systems
* adoption of the browser as the key interface; all public sector information systems are to be accessible through browser based technology; other interfaces are permitted but only in addition to browser based ones
* the addition of metadata to government information resources
* the development and adoption of the e-Government Metadata Standard (e-GMS) based on the international Dublin Core model
* the development and maintenance of the Government Category List (GCL).
* adherence to the e-GIF is mandated throughout the public sector.

election of e-GIF specifications has been driven by

* interoperability - only specifications that are relevant to systems interconnectivity, data integration, e-services access and content management are specified
* market support - the specifications selected are widely supported by the market, and are likely to reduce the cost and risk of government information systems
* scalability - specifications selected have capacity to be scaled to satisfy changed demands made on the system, such as changes in data volumes, number of transactions or number of users
* openness - the specifications are documented and available to the public at large.

The website responsible for publishing developments regarding e-GIF is:

*http://www.govtalk.gov.uk/

Establishing competence and capability in e-GIF

*The [http://www.egifaccreditation.org e-GIF Accreditation Authority] accredits organisations for their capability and competence in delivering e-GIF compliant solutions. The Authority maintains a [http://www.egifaccreditation.org/register.html Register of e-GIF Accredited Organisations] . There is also a programme of individual certifications at Foundation and Expert levels aimed at developing and recognising e-GIF skills and experience, referenced against an e-GIF Competency Framework.

*The [http://www.egifcompliance.org e-GIF Compliance Assessment Service] offers a self-assessment tool for e-GIF compliance in projects and programmes.

News sites which cover e-gif developments

* [http://www.kablenet.com Kablenet] includes e-gif developments in their coverage in their reporting on UK and other eGovernment

* [http://www.supportinsight.com Support Insight] has published several articles on e-GIF and is monitoring its progress.

* The [http://www.egifaccreditation.org e-GIF Accreditation Authority] and the [http://www.egifcompliance.org e-GIF Compliance Assessment Service] .