Design reality gap framework for post implementation evaluation of the national ICT policy:

Abstract

This study analyzed, examined and evaluated the gaps between Information Communication Technologies (ICT) policy design and their actual outcomes in governmental ICT agencies, informed by the objectives and identified variables in the national ICT policy document of 2006, this was focused on a framework developed by Richard Heeks, and extended by Baqir et al. (2009), the “Design and actuality Gap”. The study was also informed by a sustainability failure model that explicitly considered the sustainability of ICT projects longitudinally, by Kumar and Best (2008). A quantitative approach design was used to gather and analyze data on ICT policy design and actuality gap, the scope was limited to the ministry of ICT and Communication Authority of Kenya (CAK), responsible for national ICT agencies in Kenya. The quantitative method was also used to investigate the relationships between policy design and the actual outcome in terms of successful and or unsuccessful deployment of ICT use, resources, infrastructure, policy awareness and legal framework. The data that was collated in this study was used to develop a theoretical foundation for the evaluation and analyzing of the gaps between government ICT policy design and actual outcomes of the implementation of the policy document. The data collected stimulated critical understanding of the various variables and factors that are critical towards ensuring the success of ICT policy in ICT agencies. The identified ICT gaps affecting the Kenyan Government as noted by ministerial 2013-2017 ICT strategic plan provided pivotal data, that informed the study on crucial dimensions and variables, that contributed towards the success and or failure of ICT, Finally the critical factors were deduced from the identified variables in the policy document, using exploratory factor analysis, the identified gaps were tabulated and analyzed in relation to the identified factors, suggestions and recommendations were captured, and a riketscale was used to explain the suitability of the policy document after analysis and evaluation.