HJP recently conducted a brief eID survey among eID experts from Government authorities and industry experts. HJP asked these 4 key questions addressing main observations in recent eID projects HJP has managed as a Consultant:

1) Within the public tendering process the understanding of an eID system is often quite different between the government tendering authority and potential suppliers. Do you agree?
2) From your perspective, how should requirements, changes in requirements and their impact to respective processes be handled ideally? (stakeholder reviews, detailed formal requirement specification, formal administrative change request process, requirement management tools, limitation to core requirements)
3) Please rate the following aspects of an eID project regarding their priority from your perspective. (security, usability, conformance to international standards and best practice, public acceptance, adaptability to changing requirements, cost effectiveness, future expansions, speed of implementation)
4) How important are the following aspects when involving a consultant in an eID project? (technical know-how, standards and best practice, translation between user language and technical specification, independence from vendors, knowledge transfer, quick reaction time, presence on site or in country)

Here are some key results:

51 experts for e-identity participated in the survey. 27% of the participants were Government representatives, 4% used to work for a Government authority and 69% were experts from the eID industry.

Key findings are that the majority of Government and Industry participants agree about the fact that there is a gap between Government tendering authorities and potential suppliers regarding the understanding of an eID system within the public tendering process. The main reasons given for the gap can be find in the attached summary of the survey responses.
In terms of how a requirements process should be handled ideally, main results are that consistent stakeholder reviews of requirements specifications are key. There is a preference to have detailed formal requirements specifications instead of a concentration to core requirements. More than 60% of industry participants and more than 50% of Government participants agree with the use of requirements management tools. HJP is currently developing sophisticated methodologies and tools for a sufficient requirements engineering process when developing complex IT system architectures for e-identity.
In terms of aspects with the highest priority within eID projects, the main findings are that security, usability, public acceptance, conformance to international standards are of highest priority for Government and Industry. Speed of implementation has the least priority at both parties.
Regarding key aspects when involving a Consultant in eID projects, the most important aspects are technical know-how, translation between user language and technical specification, independence from vendors and standards and best practice. HJP Consulting is proud to be able to meet these key aspects through the many years of eID Consultancy experience through the planning, procurement and approval of eID and e-passport implementation projects and through involvement in standardization efforts covering fundamental technical, market and strategic know-how.

Please see a complete summary of the eID survey results >>> here.

If you have any further questions, please send an email to anke.larkworthy@hjp-consulting.com.