Strengths and weaknesses of the European interoperability framework related to the real application of ICT in e-government

The European Interoperability Framework (EIF) is frequently mentioned at many conferences dealing with interoperability in e-government in the EU. It is frequently described as a useful tool or a way to solve problems of interoperability in e-government. In fact, however, the EIF is not used in real life. This paper is directed to answering the question of why the OF is not used. The analysis of: such different groups related to ICT implementation in e-government as politicians and legislators, decision makers in governmental institutions and designers or decision makers in ICT providers; separate groups' needs in different lifecycle stages, including planning, design, implementation and everyday maintenance of ICT; and limitations of the groups that restrict their behaviours and activities, such as lack of knowledge, competency, financing rules and budget size or legal framework Provides the basis for evaluating the content in the current version of the EIF. The requirements are described for improving the EIF to enable its real use in support of real interoperable solutions in e-government on a pan-European scale.