Government have a duty nowadays to ensure they are developing digitally-deliverable policies - but what does this look like? The Central Digital and Data Office (CDDO) has created a Digital Readiness Check, a set of key principles and questions for government departments to work through when they are developing policy or legislation.
The questions are divided up into four categories: ensure clear and simple rules; assume digital delivery by default; plan for data interoperability; and use existing infrastructure.
The checklist is based on the understanding that everything in government nowadays will involve digital and data at some point, and is part of a broader effort to build closer collaboration between policy makers and digital specialists.
An accompanying CDDO blog post highlights the importance of working collaboratively with departmental digital colleagues before making any decisions, assumptions or announcements about digital delivery. This will make for more effective outcomes and help to avoid costly mistakes.
At the same time, it emphasises the importance of individuals building their own digital knowledge and awareness. “You don’t need to be able to answer them all yourself, but you need to know that these are key considerations when developing a policy or initiative, and where you can go for assistance,” it said.
These principles should be used in conjunction with other central sources of guidance, including the Digital Functional Standard, the Service Standard, the Technology Code of Practice and the Data Standards Authority.
CDDO is currently working with other government bodies to test the principles and highlight examples of good practice in collaborative working.