Summary and conclusion |
The initial objective of the POT project was to evaluate the application of telecommunication technologies to local political work. We have designed, developed, distributed, and started the evaluation of such technologies through a field trial. The methodology used involved detailed charting of the political work and wide stakeholder participation in the design process. Thus, choice of functionality and design of the user interface was based on a concurrent understanding of sociological, organizational and technological issues facing Salangen's local politicians and administrators. The implemented system, based on Microsoft Windows, integrates computer-supported telephony, electronic messaging, and document handling into one application. The emphasis was on providing an intuitive and easy-to-use interface where interactions are based on the direct manipulation paradigm. This resulted in the evolution of a new concept -- the graphical directory, which gives a pictorial representation of the user's communication partners and allows for easy navigation and selection. The system was originally developed for a specific group of users; however, the feedback received from them clearly indicates the potential for a broader audience. Although the evaluation of the field trial is on-going, some preliminary observations related to the objectives of the project can be made. Within some groups, coordination of political activities such as meetings and discussions have been adapted, by the politicians' own initiatives, to POT. Others have used the system for co-authoring political documents and exploited the system's potential for more efficient work procedures. Also, the Salangen administration has been able to offer more rapid distribution of issue information. There has been an improvement in the information flow among politicians and a strengthening of the support provided to politicians by local government administrators. Thus, it can be claimed that some of the goals of the project have been achieved. It is too early to decide whether the improved flow of information has affected the politicians' way of working. One possible outcome is that the manner and content of executive committees and local council political meeting activities will change as a result of increased information exchange prior to meetings. As a result, meetings might become devoted more to substantive discussions as opposed to bare information delivery and voting. Finally, it is interesting to observe that the POT project has brought the politicians closer together as a group. Whether this is due to the handling of the challenges represented by the technology or due to the achievements from the use of the technology is open to question. However, a social dimension has been added that may make the role of a municipal politician more attractive. In turn, this might lead to more seeking re-election and eventually higher quality political decision making. |
