From 2003 to 2013, several e-government initiatives were initiated by the heads of government from the federal and state levels, encompassing all federal levels. The target audience was a large part of the German population. The financial expenditure for the projects amounted to several million euros each, but only a few of the initiatives were successful. The reasons for the outcomes have been little researched so far. This work traces and analyzes the innovation process of four of the initiatives. The case reconstructions are based on around 4,000 evaluated documents, interviews, and secondary literature on the cases. Two of the examined initiatives were successful, while two failed. The aim is to investigate the reasons and mechanisms that help explain the process and outcomes. After categorizing the initiatives within the context of innovation management in the state, the research will focus on the previously un.