Model-based governance of digitalisation in a public administration in Luxembourg: an experience report

Abstract

Although public administrations do not share the same goals with the private sector, digital transformation is also key to their evolution. Like other European states, Luxembourg is, as of recently, framing digital transformation of its administration through a national digital governance strategy. This paper reports on the development and operation of a customized EA framework to govern the digitalisation of a divisionally structured public administration. The results of the reported modelling project are discussed from the perspective of Return on Modelling Effort concept, sharing insights into main decisions taken in this context. We underline the value generated by domain-specific information structuring.  A domain-specific model of regulatory policy was designed to adapt and specialise both the viewpoints and generic concepts of architecture modelling language, but also exploited to present and communicate information to multiple stakeholders involved. Most importantly, using a domain-specific EA framework has unexpectedly led to breaking the business silos, providing a platform for sharing business practices and facilitating answers to key managerial operational questions. Reflecting on our experience, we suggest dimensions for further elaboration  of the concept of Return on Modelling Effort.