In late November 2023, the Digital Government Architecture 2030 was published and established as a working document by the Government-wide Digital Government Policy Consultation (OBDO). This document outlines and directs the desired architecture for the digital government in the Netherlands. Guido Bayens, the Independent Chair of the Digital Government Architecture Council, explains, “This document bridges the gap between administrators and policymakers on one side, and architects, designers, and suppliers on the other.”
Bayens states, “With the Digital Government Architecture 2030 document, we aim to work towards a unified government. Ultimately, this will provide better services to citizens and businesses, and improve the collaboration between government organisations with less fragmentation.”
The architecture aims to create cohesion and shape the future vision of the digital government, says Bayens. “The digital government is extensive. There are various components, agreements, and standards needed to establish a cohesive digital government. This architecture lays the foundation for all aspirations regarding how the digital government functions. It must be designed in such a way that the services can work well within it. It’s essentially the foundation upon which the digital government will be constructed.”
Master plan
Bayens elaborates, “Compare the document to a master plan of a new housing development. You first create an overview of houses, schools, and shops. Only then do you ensure that each object is well-designed and fits into the broader picture. This document connects that master plan concept on one side, with a more detailed architecture and the designer on the other side.”
The document describes itself as a ‘framework for innovation activities’. But what does this mean? “We dared to think from the perspective of a complete digital government with a good mutual coherence between various aspects that play a role in it. We noticed that there are still quite a few building blocks, components, missing. We have also named those; the underlined passages in the document.” Bayens likens it to a jigsaw puzzle: “We have identified which building blocks still need to be created. And where feasible, opted to continue with modern solutions. For example, by focusing on cloud computing or the use of ‘smart assets’: Our water stations, bridges, locks, and sensors. These too form a part of the digital government.”
Demand
He states that there was a great demand for such a document. “Especially among people who are working on further developing the idea of the digital government. It effectively provides a bridge between policy and governance on one side, and professionals – architects, project and programme managers, designers, and suppliers – on the other. In the past, it was often said: ‘They do not understand each other.’ The language of administrators is different from that of architects and IT specialists.”
“The document will be further elaborated to serve architects and designers on a deeper level,” says Guido Bayens.
What are the reactions to the document? “They range from: ‘Glad it exists, as it helps to make clear choices.’ That is: ‘Which protocols and standards will we adopt moving forward to ensure coherence? Which common provisions do we intend to utilise?’ To more critical feedback: ‘This is not a detailed architecture yet.’ And my answer is: ‘That’s correct’. The document will be further elaborated this year in working groups to better serve architects and designers. This way, they can translate the choices made into concrete solutions. But to achieve this, we first needed an overarching view, so we can be sure that those deeper levels also rightly interconnect with each other.”
Consistent operation
Recently, the Digital Government Architecture Council received many questions about the relationship between this architecture and, for example, that of the Central Government. Bayens explains the relationship: “This document has been created through intergovernmental cooperation. The Central Government, municipalities, provinces, water authorities, and the large implementing organisations are all involved. This means it must have a consistent operation towards all those different layers of government. We need to grow towards a cohesive whole.”
Call to action
The year 2030 was chosen for a reason, Bayens reveals. “2030 provides organisations with enough time to align with the direction outlined in the document. There are already many building blocks in place that give shape to the idea of the digital government, such as Overheid.nl, MijnOverheid, DigiD, and eHerkenning. We therefore call on organisations to start using them. Because there are still quite a few organisations that have or are still developing their own provisions. The use of common building blocks cut costs and greatly promotes interoperability, such as the exchangeability of data. This way, we gradually work towards one government, delivering stellar services to citizens and businesses.”
View the most current version of the Digital Government Architecture 2030 (in Dutch). Do you have questions, clarifications, or suggestions? Share them via postbox.pgdi@minbzk.nl.
