The Strategy for Transformational Government published by the Cabinet Office eGovernment Unit (eGU) this week is a milestone in Whitehall’s progress into the 21st century.

The document is the most comprehensive overview of government technology ever put together, and the eGU team deserves commendation for its coverage of the issues affecting, and affected by, government IT.

Most importantly, the strategy puts IT in its rightful place. Technology is key to every aspect of government, from streamlining administrative systems to addressing social problems. But it can deliver nothing on its own.

At its heart, the strategy is about joined-up government. The concept is not new; it is easy to argue that co-ordination between public sector organisations is central to greater efficiency and better services, but the reality has been elusive.

The eGU’s strategy is a significant step. It is indicative an unprecedented, sector-wide perspective on technology – its trends, possibilities and challenges. That alone is a considerable achievement.

And the creation of a national board to oversee transformation according to user groups such as the elderly or small businesses, rather than along purely organisational lines, will begin to establish the necessary management structures.

The strategy has the highest backing. Not only is it endorsed by the Cabinet Secretary and the Prime Minister, but the transformation it describes is crucial to the Treasury’s efficiency drive.

As with all central strategies, the danger is that the report will sit on a shelf while all carries on as before.

The zeal of head of egovernment Ian Watmore and his public sector CIO Council will go some way to militate against such an outcome. But the Efficiency Review is the real stick to drive departments forward.

The Treasury targets, and the budgetary implications of not meeting them, will go further to force through the cultural changes of joined-up government and the IT it requires than all the enthusiasm in the world.