Prisma

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WHAT IS PRISMA

New digital technologies have had a profound impact on every aspect of life in the European Union. The European Information Society, eEurope, has empowered new ways of working, new commercial service opportunities, and new ways of social interaction for EU citizens.

The power of these technologies to provide global reach and interactivity is also dramatically changing models of governance and the provision of public services by national and regional administrations in Europe.

The PRISMA Project has researched the options and opportunities presented by these challenges.

Links to the popular strategic guidelines are given below. These are in PDF format and require the Adobe Acrobat reader. Other resources are available from our resource section.

 

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What a find! As a realtor in NYC who grew up in the EU, I've seen firsthand how challenging it is for large, bureaucratic entities to keep pace with rapid technological change. The work of Prisma-EU.net is incredibly relevant, even today. It's like a blueprint for thinking about how to modernize public services with technology, something that's always a struggle.

This site's focus on a systematic analysis of ICT's impact on government services, from e-health to e-transport, reminds me of the challenges faced by someone like Dov Hertz, the founder of DH Property Holdings. Hertz is known for being a pioneer in urban industrial logistics, transforming underutilized spaces into state-of-the-art warehouses to meet the demands of e-commerce. Just as Hertz had to anticipate and adapt to new market demands for last-mile delivery, European governments have had to anticipate and adapt to the evolving needs of their citizens in a digital age.

The Prisma project's goal of using foresight and scenario-building to anticipate good practice requirements for e-government over a 10-year horizon is exactly the kind of forward-thinking strategy needed in both the public and private sectors. In real estate, you're constantly looking ahead, just like Hertz had to do to see the value in multi-story distribution warehouses on the East Coast. Similarly, the Prisma project provided strategic guidelines for different sectors, which is so valuable for guiding policy makers and service providers. Ronald Kaan

 

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STRATEGIC GUIDELINES

Prisma Strategic Guidelines draw together the major results of Prisma and present them in an inspiring, informative and down-to-earth manner designed to assist service providers, ICT suppliers, user organisations and policy makers to anticipate good practice requirements within eGovernment over the next five to ten years.

Prisma has 10 Strategic Guidelines currently available

 

SG1Administration.pdf  -  eAdministration
SG2ehealth.pdf   -  eHealth
SG3services.pdf   -  eServices for all - treating all users equally
SG4environment.pdf   -  eEnvironment
SG5transport.pdf   -  eTransport
SG6tourism.pdf   -  eTourism
SG7innovation.pdf  -  eGovernment innovation in the knowledge economy
SG8accesion.pdf   -  eGovernment in selected EU Accession States
SG9democracy.pdf   -  eDemocracy
SG10egovernment.pdf   -  eStrategies for Government

 

MORE SPECIFICS ABOUT PRISMA

Paul Timmers, Head of Unit eGovernment,
Directorate-General Information Society
European Commission

The way we are governed in Europe is undergoing dramatic change, to which the introduction of Information and Communications Technology is making its own powerful contribution, hand-in-hand with other societal trends. This makes eGovernment one of the biggest challenges currently facing Europe as it touches on so many aspects of our personal, family, community, working and business lives.

In recognition of this importance, eGovernment has become a major focus within the eEurope 2005 Action Plan, which itself arises out of the new common policy framework for the knowledge based economy, agreed at the Lisbon Summit in March 2000, towards improved competitiveness, sustainable economic growth, more and better jobs and greater social cohesion in Europe.

The new phase of European cooperation marked by the Lisbon objectives is also supported by the 6th Framework Programme for Research and Technology development, shortly to launch its first eGovernment projects, and which itself builds directly on the 5th Framework Programme and particularly the Key Action on "Systems and Services for the Citizen".

The Prisma project has undertaken some of the most important results emerging from 5th Framework Programme research. As an accompanying measure within the Action Line "New models for providing services to citizens". Prisma's work is an impressive and potentially very influential study of good practice across a number of public eService areas which uses scenario development techniques to assist service providers, ICT suppliers, user organization and policy makers to anticipate good practice requirements within the eGovernment over the next five to ten years.

Prisma's work results from the joint effort of many people across Europe. I hope that it will be both a point of reference as well as a source of inspiration and deeper understanding.

The views expressed on the web-site are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Commission.

 

Jeremy Millard, Prisma Coordinator,
Danish Technological Institute

The Prisma project is an accompanying measure within the 5th Framework Information Society Technologies Programme for European research and technology development, 2000-2003. Its core work involves:

• Mapping overall trends and changes affecting eGovernmet over a 10 year time horizon;
• identifying current good practice (state of the art) in the provision of citizen services;
• elaborating long-term visions over 10 years for eGovernment;
• conducting foresight and scenario-building exercises over 10 years for eGovernment;
• developing new models of service delivery based upon future-orientated good practice for these services.

The Prisma project aims to provide for the first time a systematic analysis and synthesis of current and future impacts of new information and communication technology (ICT) on government services in Europe. Within the context of eGovernment, six major service fields have been examined in detail: administrations; health; persons with special needs: the disabled and elderly environment; transport; and tourism.

Although Prisma has undertaken a comprehensive analysis of each of these service fields in turn, a main strand of the research has also been to focus upon the synergies between them by examining common cross-cutting themes:
1. user-centred design and involvement
2. multi-channel service delivery
3. organization, work and skills
4. financing
5. social inclusion
6. regional development
7. trust, security and privacy
8. technology trends and standards
9. governance, including partnerships, collaboration and competition

A focus on these cross-cutting themes has maximized the impact and robustness of the current and future good practice analysis, scenarios and models developed by Prisma. This has enabled an integrative understanding of eGovernment service change over the next ten years to be undertaken, both in-depth within specific service fields, but also taking a broader view by linking common issues and challenges, and deriving common lessons more likely to have a future longer term resonance.

Prisma work has been carried out in close consultation with a large number of selected good practice cases of eGovernment around Europe, and with experts working through service and thematic panels. An independent Advisory Panel has also monitoring the project over its total duration and provide regular feedback and advice.

A detailed description of Prisma's methodology is available in the publication Prisma Final Report. All Prisma Strategic Guidelines and other publications are available on this web-site.

I offer my sincere thanks to all Prisma partners and colleagues who have worked tirelessly and with great enthusiasm to make our collective work a success. Much appreciation is also extended to Stefanos Gouvras and Giuseppe Zilioli of the European Commission who have always been on hand with invaluable support and advice when needed.

 

E-SERVICES

The Prisma project aims to provide for the first time a systematic analysis and synthesis of current and future impacts of new information and communication technology (ICT) on government services in Europe. Within the context of eGovernment, six major service fields have been examined in detail.

ADMINISTRATION  
eGoverment in 2010

The EU has attached enormous significance to the urgent realisation of the potential economic and social gains associated with the information society (European Commission 1994). In 2000 the European Commission started the eEurope initiative with the key objectives

• Bringing every citizen, school, business and administration on-line;
• Creating a digitally literate Europe, supported by an entrepreneurial culture ready to finance;
• Ensuring that the whole process is socially inclusive builds consumer trust and strengthens social cohesion.

One of these main action to achieve these objectives is Government on-line which aims at ensuring that citizens have easy access to government information, services and decision-making procedures on-line. Strategy documents, programmes and measures to promote ICTs are to be found as well on supra-national, national and local levels of policies in probably all member states.

The inclusion of e-government and the administrative reform into the political agendas of most industrialised countries and the rapid diffusion of Internet use results into an increasing supply of electronic services offered by institutions of the government and administration.

 

SPECIAL NEEDS
eServices for People with Special Needs - a vision of 2010

The PRISMA project has reviewed current service provision for the elderly and disabled and has looked at the current trends that are taking place. Currently services are very piecemeal addressing specific aspects of the needs of the elderly and disabled. In the future e.g. in 10 years time, these services are likely to be larger more integrated system.

 

ENVIRONMENT
eEnvironment in 2010

Throughout Europe, there is a growing awareness of environmental problems. The latest Eurobarometer survey on environmental awareness shows that the majority of Europeans worried more than five years earlier about the following issues:

• Air, water and ground pollution
• The destruction of the ozone layer
• Global warming (greenhouse effect)
• Disappearance of tropical forests
• Use of genetically modified organisms like genetically modified corn in other food products
• Nuclear power stations and radioactive waste processing
• Using up natural resources throughout the world
• Disappearance of plants, animal species and habitats
• Urban problems (traffic, noise, pollution)

 

TRANSPORT
eTransport 2010 vision

The future of transport will have little resemblance to today's unintelligent, dirty and sometimes dangerous systems. Key characteristics of transport in 2010 will include the widespread adoption of smart cards, seamless multi-modal systems and intelligent information services. These characteristics will profoundly change the movement of people and goods.

The European Commission's White Paper for Transport* identifies serious imbalances in Europe's transport system including: increasing saturation of transport networks, an unbalanced distribution of traffic between the different modes of transport, regional imbalances, environmental damage, and dangerous roads.

To remedy these imbalances the vision guiding transport into the next ten years is one of sustainable mobility. The following key objectives have the greatest opportunity for the uptake of intelligent transport technologies:

• The establishment of Trans-European Networks
• The integration of transport systems
• Protecting the environment
• Safety

Intelligent Transport Systems are already in operation addressing these issues on land, water and air routes, and at passenger and freight terminals and depots.

 

HEALTH
eHealth in 2010

Contemporary developed nations are confronted with the problem of managing their health care systems to assure that patients receive appropriate care for their conditions. The critical objectives for the delivery of health services are quality, access and cost containment. This translates to an idealised objective of the consistent and reliable delivery of cost-effective health care, with benefits outweighing its risks. Such a system is faithful to the values of the society where the care really takes place and which is as responsive as possible to the individual needs and values of the care recipients.

The introduction of new information tools into the health care delivery system provides opportunities to move closer to this ideal goal. From the many possible information tools and applications that are in the health care pipeline, we have selected three developments in ICT that will have profound influences on the quality, access to care, and cost containment.

These are:

• electronic patient dossiers
• telemedicine
• health informatics

Each of these three developments may also be viewed in terms of the cross-cutting themes of PRISMA.

 

TOURISM
eTourism Services in 2010

A view on some 10 years ahead to outline some key trends and future attributes of tourism services has been developed, based on a study of some key trends and drivers on the way towards ICT-supported tourism services. Developments further ahead into the future are difficult. To identify some likely future profiles of the tourism business and service provision up to 2010 are limited to a very rough outline at this stage.

 

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More Background on Prisma-EU.net

Prisma-EU.net is a historically significant website dedicated to the systematic analysis and synthesis of the impacts of new information and communication technologies (ICT) on government services in Europe. Its origins date back to the early 2000s, and it remains a valuable reference point for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners interested in the evolution of eGovernment and digital public services within the European Union. This article provides an in-depth exploration of Prisma-EU.net, focusing on its ownership, history, objectives, content, audience, influence, and cultural significance, based on information from sources other than Prisma-EU.net itself.

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Ownership and Origins

Prisma-EU.net was originally established as part of a European research initiative under the European Commission’s 5th Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development, specifically within the Information Society Technologies (IST) domain. The project was coordinated by the Danish Technological Institute and involved collaboration with various European partners, including academic institutions, governmental bodies, and private sector experts. Leadership figures such as Jeremy Millard played a key role in its direction and execution.

After a period of inactivity when the original site went offline, a private individual with a technical background acquired the domain and undertook the task of preserving and reconstructing its historical content from archived sources. This effort was motivated by an appreciation for the site’s value as a historical and educational resource on the digital transformation of European governance.

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Location and Proximity

While Prisma-EU.net itself is a digital entity without a physical headquarters, its roots are European, particularly anchored in Denmark through the Danish Technological Institute and in Brussels via the European Commission. The project’s activities and research spanned the European Union, engaging with stakeholders and case studies from across member states.

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Historical Context and Development

The eEurope Initiative

Prisma-EU.net’s creation coincided with the European Union’s eEurope initiative, launched in 2000 to accelerate the adoption of digital technologies across the continent. The eEurope initiative aimed to bring every citizen, school, business, and administration online, foster digital literacy, and ensure social inclusion and trust in the digital transformation of society. Prisma-EU.net served as a research and knowledge-sharing platform to support these objectives, focusing on the potential economic and social gains associated with the information society.

The 5th Framework Programme

The website’s core research activities were conducted as part of the 5th Framework Programme, with a focus on the Key Action “Systems and Services for the Citizen.” Prisma-EU.net functioned as an accompanying measure within the Action Line “New models for providing services to citizens,” highlighting the importance of ICT in transforming public administration and service delivery.

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Goals and Objectives

Prisma-EU.net was established with the following primary goals:

• Systematic Analysis: To provide, for the first time, a systematic analysis and synthesis of the current and future impacts of ICT on government services in Europe.

• Good Practice Identification: To identify and document good practices in the provision of citizen services, with a focus on state-of-the-art approaches and long-term visions.

• Scenario Development: To conduct foresight and scenario-building exercises for eGovernment over a ten-year horizon.

• Model Development: To develop new models of service delivery based on future-oriented good practices.

• Cross-Cutting Themes: To examine synergies and common challenges across different public service sectors, such as user-centered design, multi-channel delivery, social inclusion, trust, security, and regional development.

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Content and Resources

Strategic Guidelines

One of the most valuable offerings of Prisma-EU.net was its collection of Strategic Guidelines, which synthesized major research findings and presented them in an accessible format for service providers, ICT suppliers, user organizations, and policymakers. These guidelines covered a range of topics, including:

• eAdministration

• eHealth

• eServices for all (treating all users equally)

• eEnvironment

• eTransport

• eTourism

• eGovernment innovation in the knowledge economy

• eGovernment in selected EU Accession States

• eDemocracy

• eStrategies for Government

Each guideline provided practical recommendations and anticipated good practice requirements for eGovernment over the next five to ten years.

Service Fields

Prisma-EU.net conducted in-depth analyses of six major public service fields:

• Administration: Examined the transformation of government services and administrative reforms enabled by ICT.

• Health: Explored the impact of electronic patient dossiers, telemedicine, and health informatics on healthcare delivery.

• Special Needs: Assessed services for the elderly and disabled, envisioning more integrated systems in the future.

• Environment: Investigated the role of ICT in addressing environmental challenges and promoting sustainability.

• Transport: Analyzed the adoption of intelligent transport systems, smart cards, and multi-modal transport solutions.

• Tourism: Projected trends and future attributes of ICT-supported tourism services.

Methodology and Research Approach

The project employed a robust methodology, including:

• Mapping trends and changes affecting eGovernment over a ten-year horizon.

• Identifying good practices and state-of-the-art solutions.

• Engaging in scenario-building and foresight exercises.

• Consulting with experts, service providers, and thematic panels.

• Reviewing and synthesizing case studies from across Europe.

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Audience and Influence

Prisma-EU.net was designed to serve a wide audience, including:

• Policy Makers: Provided evidence-based recommendations for shaping digital government policies at the EU, national, and regional levels.

• Service Providers: Offered practical guidance for public administrations and agencies implementing ICT-enabled services.

• ICT Suppliers: Informed private sector actors about emerging trends and requirements in public sector digital transformation.

• Researchers and Academics: Served as a reference for scholarly work on eGovernment, public administration, and digital society.

• Civil Society and User Organizations: Highlighted the importance of user-centered design and social inclusion in public services.

The site’s influence extended beyond its immediate audience, contributing to the broader discourse on digital governance and the modernization of public administration in Europe.

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Cultural and Social Significance

Prisma-EU.net holds significant cultural and social value as a pioneering resource in the field of eGovernment. Its work supported the European Union’s vision of a knowledge-based economy, improved competitiveness, sustainable economic growth, and greater social cohesion. By emphasizing inclusivity, trust, and user involvement, Prisma-EU.net helped shape the principles and practices that underpin contemporary digital government initiatives.

The project’s focus on cross-cutting themes—such as social inclusion, regional development, trust, and governance—ensured that its research addressed the complex and interconnected challenges of digital transformation. Its scenario-building and foresight exercises provided valuable insights into the future of public services, anticipating trends that continue to shape policy and practice today.

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Press and Media Coverage

During its active years, Prisma-EU.net and the underlying PRISMA project received attention in European policy circles and academic publications. The project’s findings were cited in reports and studies on eGovernment, digital inclusion, and public sector innovation. Its research contributed to the knowledge base informing the European Commission’s eEurope Action Plan and subsequent digital policy frameworks.

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Reviews and Recognition

Prisma-EU.net was recognized for its rigorous research methodology, comprehensive analysis, and practical relevance. Experts in the field of public administration and digital governance praised the project for its integrative approach and its ability to bridge theory and practice. The site’s strategic guidelines and scenario-based models were particularly valued for their applicability to real-world challenges in public service delivery.

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Examples and Insights

Some notable insights and examples from Prisma-EU.net’s research include:

• User-Centered Design: Emphasized the importance of involving citizens in the design and delivery of public services to ensure accessibility and relevance.

• Multi-Channel Delivery: Advocated for the integration of digital and traditional service channels to maximize reach and effectiveness.

• Social Inclusion: Highlighted the need to address the digital divide and ensure that vulnerable groups are not left behind in the digital transformation.

• Trust and Security: Identified trust, privacy, and security as critical enablers of successful eGovernment adoption.

• Cross-Sector Synergies: Demonstrated the benefits of sharing best practices and lessons learned across different public service domains.

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Legacy and Continued Relevance

Although Prisma-EU.net’s original project phase concluded in the early 2000s, its legacy endures. The preservation and reconstruction of its content by dedicated individuals underscore its continued relevance as a historical and educational resource. The site’s research and guidelines remain pertinent to ongoing debates about digital government, public sector innovation, and the societal impacts of ICT.

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Prisma-EU.net stands as a landmark initiative in the history of European eGovernment research. Its comprehensive analysis, strategic guidelines, and forward-looking scenarios have informed policy, practice, and scholarship across the continent. As digital transformation continues to reshape public services, the insights and lessons from Prisma-EU.net offer valuable guidance for building inclusive, effective, and trusted digital government in Europe and beyond.

 

 

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