Timetable

Concept definition

Carrying out the process of eParticipation service

Implementation of the new Valma eParticipation service

Lessons learnt

The Valma eParticipation forum was created during the eCitizen project in 2005-2007.

In Tampere earlier version of Valma was used in years 2002-2003. But it was practically only a simple Internet page, which was manually updated and had no connections to databases.

In any case experiences from the earlier eParticipation forum ("Valma I") were valuable when new version was created.

Concept definition

The concept definition of the Valma eParticipation service took place in 2005. Meetings with different interest groups, members from the university, civic organizations and the municipal organisation were arranged for purpose of defining the concept.

Also the elected officials of the City of Tampere were interviewed concerning eParticipation. It was important to know their opinions on the electric participation.

Carrying out the process of eParticipation service

Technical solutions were planned based on the concept definition. One consultant was hired to deal with the technical specifications and another for carrying out the process of ePartication service. So two invitations of tenders had to be prepared and many offers were received. It took for quite a long time, but finally it was decided to hire those two consultants to do the work.

In the end of the year 2005 the carrying out process of the Valma eParticipation Service was started and it was finished in spring 2007. It took quite a long time partly because there were some difficulties in writing the invitations of tenders. The public procurement law includes many demands for substance. The finalisation of Valma was delayed also because of two integration problems. Integration to the major workflow and management system “KuntaToimisto” of the city administration took more time and resources than anyone expected. The enterprise that provided the integration service also had problems organising capable people to do the work. Also integration with the Tampere city planner’s GIS (Geographical Information System) was delayed.

Implementation of the new Valma eParticipation service

Implementation of the new Valma eParticipation service started in spring 2007. It was published to citizens by sending a newsletter. To assimilate the Valma service into the Tampere city administration started at the same time. Three practical training sessions in using the service was arranged, and the general order by the City Mayor concerning the use of the Valma was prepared. In autumn 2007 Valma eParticipation service was in action.

Lessons learnt

When you start planning and creating a whole new digital service you should have a lot of time to do the work. On the other hand, long lasting IT projects are challenging; the technology used in the beginning of the project can be too old in the end of the project.

In a EU project you must write reports concerning the progress of the project regularly, and the allowances must be used when scheduled beforehand. That assured that the project was all the time on schedule.