Government bodies often run into problems when dealing with data exchange. This leads to citizens and entrepreneurs often having to resubmit the same information. In addition, schemes sometimes remain untapped. Outdated IT systems complicate data exchange. A new study now offers both insights and solutions to tackle these bottlenecks. We summarised.
The Kafkabrigade Foundation (Stichting Kafkabrigade) examined how organisations deal with data exchange. They did so on behalf of The State of Our Public Service Delivery (Staat van de Uitvoering). Kafkabrigade analysed practical cases in 3 areas where exchanging data proved challenging: debt relief, unemployment benefits and the energy transition.
Analysis of bottlenecks
In debt relief, it was found that municipalities often miss the crucial clues for providing timely debt relief.
For years, when an unemployment benefit application was made, a Supplementary Benefits Act application was automatically submitted. It later transpired there was no legal basis for doing so. The number of applications made by individuals therefore sharply decreased afterwards. As a result, people who were indeed entitled to these supplementary benefits now no longer received them.
Finally, in the case of the energy transition it was found that data on energy consumption is needed, but legal restrictions are making links difficult.
Recommendations and tips
The report provides 9 steps to make a structured value trade-off.
- Interest: dialogue starts with identifying what public or general interest is to be served.
- Making the end use specific: the end use must be specific and defined.
- Statutory duty: governments can only act if this is defined as a duty.
- Need data? If data does not contribute to the intended use or if better alternatives are available, usage should be reconsidered.
- Risks of intended implications: look at risks to citizens in the regular process.
- Risks of unintended implications: consider unintentional scenarios.
- Risks in alternative circumstances: what are the risks if the intended outcome is not realised?
- Proportionality: are the risks proportionate to the goals?
- Provide motivation for decisions and record them: make sure the decision is well motivated, recorded and justified.
Want to know more?
Read the full report (only available in Dutch) or the summary (only available in Dutch) on the website of Staat van de Uitvoering.
