Solution Architecture Template (SAT) for Flanders’ local Government in the context of a Data Space and Linked Data (LDES) based on the eGovERA© Business Agnostic Reference Architecture
In February 2024, DG DIGIT initiated the intervention supporting the project “Locally Taxed” by the Flemish Agency for Home Affairs. The intervention was focused on creating a Solution Architecture Template (SAT) for the Flanders’ Government in the context of a Data Space. An smart use of local tax decisions is generated from more than 3000 local governments within the Flanders region and is exchanged with the Flanders Government through a Data Space. This data is re-used in order to provide personalised advisory services to citizens such as consultation of local fiscal responsibilities.
In this context, the intervention of DG DIGIT supported the LBLOD-VSDS. This questionnaire details the experience of Daan Zwaenepoel and Stefanie Kerkhof, members of the Flemish Agency for Home Affairs.
The analysis model and the solution (partial) design model of the Flanders' Data Space resulting from the intervention are available in the attachments in HTML and ArchiMate® (an Enterprise Architecture modelling language) formats.
Q1. How did you learn about the eGovERA© portfolio of solutions?
Through our colleagues of Flemish Smart Data Spaces from Digital Flanders.
Q2. What were the reasons for the Flemish Government to use eGovERA© as a tool to support in the analysis and solution design of the Data Space for local tax decisions data?
The Agency primarily aimed to build on lessons learned from previous projects done with eGovERA©. By leveraging the resources and expertise provided by eGovERA©, we were able to get a head start on analysing our local tax decisions data. Additionally, we sought to explore the working methods used by eGovERA© that our organisation could adopt.
Q3. What value does the partial solution model produced with eGovERA© for Data Spaces offer to your Administration? How has this partial solution model helped in improving the interoperability of your digital public service?
The model has not yet been put into production, so the specific return is still to be determined. However, it will be useful if we proceed with implementing this use case. It provided broader insights into the full ecosystem that must be considered when building Locally Taxed. This insight alone is already very valuable.
Q4. How are you planning to use the final outputs produced during the intervention (i.e., analysis model and solution design model)?
Unfortunately, due to the new priorities of our Flemish government, we have had to reshuffle the business cases we will proceed with. Locally Taxed is no longer a priority at the moment, but it could become one again in the future. At that point, we could consider the outcome of this track and compare the results of the eGovERA© model with our own models to identify areas for improvement or potential integration. The result of this collaboration will also help us more easily determine the template needed to annotate the required data in local decisions to achieve the goals of Locally Taxed.
Additionally, we have gained valuable insights into the working methods of an eGovERA© track, which may be useful for future projects. The way eGovERA© handles workshops, planning, and progression has certainly been inspiring.
Q5: Based on your experience, what were the key success factors of this intervention?
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Way of working: The eGovERA© team established very clear milestones, making it evident when something needed to be delivered, what information was required, and when the eGovERA© team would get back to us and with what. Their persistence in pushing us to deliver also had a significant impact on our focus and the result.
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Multidisciplinary team: The eGovERA© team was always available with different insights and viewpoints, which was incredibly valuable.
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Understanding our goals: The eGovERA© team made a concerted effort to understand what we wanted to achieve and how, as well as the complex situation in Flanders, our starting point, and our desired path forward.
Q6: Smart Cities and Data Spaces are both strategic areas within the EU Digital Decade Policy Programme. In this context, how do you envision the work produced under this intervention to contribute to these matters?
eGovERA© considers the broader aspirations of the European Union, which had a significant spill-over effect on our small Flemish team. This was very valuable, even though we were already quite aware of these subjects. This collaboration confirmed the high value of Smart Cities and Data Spaces, providing us with positive reassurance that we are on the right track.
Q7. Would you recommend the eGovERA© solutions portfolio to other Public Administrations? If so, why?
Yes, for the reasons explained in previous questions.
Q8: Is there anything else you would like to add that you believe might be useful for other Public Administrations thinking of using eGovERA©?
You need to have enough time to fully engage in the process with all stakeholders, not just a few people. It will require extensive knowledge and background in various areas of your business case. Be prepared to provide this information or, if you don't have it, to seek it out. The process will demand a certain level of discipline, which can be challenging but also very rewarding and a valuable lesson for future projects.