Digital-ready policies are those policies that are designed to be implemented effectively in a digital age. They take into account the potential benefits and challenges of digital technologies and ensure that policies are adaptable to future technological advancements.

How interoperability in sharing open data supports digital transformation?

In the rapidly evolving digital landscape, digital-ready policymaking is an innovative strategy that aims to create adaptable and forward-thinking regulations that integrate with technological advancements.

At the heart of this approach lies the concept of interoperability, which facilitates smooth communication and data exchange across various systems and Member States. By prioritising interoperability from the outset, policymakers are laying the groundwork for more efficient and responsive public services.

A cornerstone of this strategy is the 'Once-only principle', which streamlines administrative processes by eliminating redundant data requests. This principle leverages the vast reservoir of open data, with over 1.7 million datasets accessible through data.europa.eu, promoting unprecedented levels of cross-border collaboration and information sharing.

Complementing this is the practice of 'Digital-ready drafting', which ensures that legislation is crafted with digital implementation in mind. This approach considers organisational, semantic, legal, and technical aspects, creating a holistic framework that anticipates future technological developments.

By embracing these principles, European policymakers are not only enhancing the efficiency of public administrations but also paving the way for innovative services that better serve citizens and businesses. This forward-thinking approach to policy making promises to revolutionise governance, promoting a more connected and responsive European Union in the digital age.

They are:

• Future-proof : they anticipate and account for future technological changes.
• Interoperable: they can work seamlessly with other digital systems and data.
• User-friendly: they are designed to be easy for citizens and businesses to understand and use.
• Data-driven: they utilise data to inform decision-making and improve efficiency.
• Secure: they protect personal and sensitive data.

Key components and enablers:

1. User-centric processes ready for automation: policy-driven business processes, often supported by digital technologies, should be analysed with a focus on user-centricity to enable simplification and automation through IT implementation.
2. Alignment with digital policies: existing digital policies and legislation, on-going policy developments on digital topics, international and European standards, IT investments programmes.
3. Once-only principle and reuse of data: the principle enables European public administrations to securely share and reuse data, with the Single Digital Gateway as a key implementation tool. Policymakers should identify policy-related data assets, removing sharing obstacles. Before collecting new data, existing Commission and Member State open data should be explored. Reusing concepts promotes consistency and cross-sector data utilisation, streamlining processes and enhancing efficiency across EU policies.
4. Evolving ICT landscape: policymakers should collaborate with IT experts to assess existing IT capabilities when designing policies. Reusing established ICT solutions, including open-source options from platforms like Joinup, can reduce costs and speed implementation. Consulting with your DG's IT unit, decentralised agencies managing relevant systems, and Member State contacts provides valuable insights into the current IT landscape and potential synergies.
5. Innovation & Digital technologies: digital technologies offer innovative solutions to longstanding issues, enhancing value for citizens. Forward-looking, digital-ready policies anticipate future technological advancements, potentially reducing costs. Policymakers must balance the expenses of phasing out legacy systems with promoting innovation. Ensuring adequate digital skills and IT expertise is crucial for successful policy implementation in the evolving technological landscape.
6. Digital-ready drafting: digital-ready drafting requires clear, future-proof rules and governance for shared IT systems. Use precise, concise language, especially for automatable sections. Reuse existing concepts to ensure interoperability across policy sectors. Verify compliance tools, consult IT colleagues on implementation dates, and consider experimentation clauses for regulatory flexibility. This approach promotes adaptable, technologically aligned legislation.
7. Collaboration: collaboration across policy areas is essential when designing digital-ready policies. This includes the support of data protection specialists, IT experts, including security experts, digital EU legislative landscape specialists.