Single Window Systems

In the OIC Member States

3. Limited Scalability

Single Windows face difficulties to scale their services and to expand its user base. This may be

caused by



weak cross-government support that inhibits the integration of additional or deepening of

existing services ;



lack of a comprehensive business architecture view; and/or



technology limitations

Why does it matter?

There is a risk for SWs to get stuck with a bad design and to try to tweak user habits and

regulations to fit them to the systems. This causes criticism by government and the trading

community, which leads to a lower acceptance of the SW and support for future investments.

4. Maintain Quality and Performance

SWs, like any other organisation, face the challenge to maintain and improve performance over

time.

Policy Options

1. Cost Assessment Methodology

Use of a costs assessment methodology, such as Total Costs of Ownership (TCO), that can better

guide investment and resource allocations at different levels of budgeting. It allows costs to be

properly assessed and monitored in a comprehensive manner including procurement,

development, operation, personnel, training, logistical support and engagement of assets.

2. Common Business Process Design and Inventory

Changes at the business and service level can be planned using a common business process design

and inventory that is shared by all stakeholders, at least the service providers of the back end side.

Using a common process design assists in the design and delivery of simplified business processes

and re-use of IT services and processes for business processes that have similar requirements. It

is therefore an efficient way to adapt faster and in a more cost effective manner to changing needs.

Examples from OIC Member States

Cameroon

As part of the second generation SW project, e-GUCE undertook an extensive BPA and

simplification. The duration for the full re-engineering and analysis of the business processes

(AS-IS to TO-BE) including process validation sessions and the feedback workshop with agencies

was eight months. It had received financial and technical assistance from the World Bank to

build in-house capacity for BPA.