WordPress has the potential to disrupt the Government Agencies web presence trends. A SWOT Analysis of WordPress with strategies for the future were discussed at WordCamp Baroda 2014. WP Community can engage better with Government agencies with a bottom-up approach to trigger innovations at the base of the pyramid. Some real life implementations and examples are also discussed. The talk was meant to provoke the WP Community in India to think on a broader horizon and longer term vision.

1. WordPress in Government
It’s a C.M.S…..not the one you think.
By Nagarajan M, IAS
Email: naga@na.ga

2. W
P
To Me
Is
7
Year
A
Itch

3. Why I Love WordPress?
• Expanded my horizons – into
web, technology and internet
• Helped me innovate – Applying concepts
and tools to right context
• Like DARPA – Internet – Internet of Things
• Drone – Afghan war – delivering books–
Delivering blood for emergencies
• How can we apply WordPress to right
context

4. Why WordPress
•
Simple and user friendly
•
Most Suited for digital engagement


•
Sharing of Content
Building Community
Lowest barrier to entry
•
For organization
•
For Users

5. Where WordPress Stands?
•
Trends in Govt technology – Web 2.0 to Gov 2.0
•
Government as a Platform – Tim O’Reilley
•
To me – Government is creator and enabler
of Platforms.
•
Low funds – higher expectations
•
Digital engagement requires Digital presence
•
WP can enable digital presence with the least
friction.

6. S.W.O.T

7. Strengths
•The indomitable WP SPIRIT
• Wide User base - Community Knowledge
•It helps those who need it the most.
•It empowers people to help others
•Low entry barrier – technology funds and
adoption
•Wide options – themes, plugins and budget

8. Weakness
•Seen as just a blogging tool
•Security concerns
•SPAM
•Incompatibility issues – eg. WP Engine

9. Opportunities
•Create a special install profile for Gov sector
•Themes and plugins for Gov applications – eg.
http://wp.govfresh.com
•Dedicated Gov community within WordPress
•Awareness creation among Gov stakeholders
• Engaging with Gov as a Community eg. Code for
America

10. Threats
•Domination of Drupal in Gov sector
•Limited data management capability
•Low level of reach out
•Lack of awareness by potential users
•High cost – securing, backup and hosting a WP
site beyond a minimal scale.

11. Real Implementations….

12. • Early 2012
• Familiarizatin and training
for staff
• Funding issue – no budget
ATVT.in

13. •
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
April 2013
20 staff across 13 talukas
3 marathon meetings
Handholding for content preparation
30min video to 3 min clip
New way of thinking and acting
Not defined in rules
Everyone is a reporter now
Krushimela.atvt.in

14. •
•
•
•
June to Dec 2012
Gujarat 2012 Election
Content preparation – handholding
Integration of existing web services
Actual Government site page was embedded in
iFrame to enable seamless user experience.

15. •
Youtube Videos
were listed using
TubePress plugin
•
Simple way to
achieve high user
satisfaction

16. •
Search page of
Chief election
Officer of Gujarat
was embedded to
bring all services
under one roof.
•
Simple <iframe>
embed
•
Good UX

17. •
Webcasting of
Polling Booths
using Ustream.Tv

18. A website for each and every Gram Panchayat
Inaugurated on 25th Jan 2014 (yesterday)

19. Its in public Alpha
presently since
Jan 25th, 2014
Village Information Portal
www.Egram.info

20. Features of eGram Web
•
•
•
•
•
Affordable
RT I Application
NREGA Job Demand
Disability Certificate Registration
Works Demand – CC Road, Gutterline, water
tank etc….
• Many more to come….

21. Technology Trends in Government
•
Open Government – Tools needed for data
creation, data management and data dissemination
•
Example – www.Data.gov.in
•
Drupal – US Gov Collaboration
•
www.Sites.Usa.Gov - Multisite WP for Gov.
•
5 stars of open data

22. 5 Stars of Data
make your stuff available on the web
★
(whatever format)
make it available as structured data
★★ (e.g. excel instead of image scan of a
table)
non-proprietary format (e.g. csv instead
★★★
of excel)
use URLs to identify things, so that
★★★★
people can point at your stuff
link your data to other people’s data to
★★★★★
provide context
Source: www.5stardata.info

23. How WordPress Can Synergize
•
SocialGov – Build social tools for Gov Agencies
•
OpenGov – build workflow and reporting tools to
gather, maintain and disseminate data.
•
DigitalGov – Help agencies better engage with
citizens
•
MobileGov – integrate SMS, Apps for Mobile users

24. Thanks for your Patience. I am honoured.
Email: naga@na.ga