Many government leaders understand the need for interoperability; however, they have not yet consistently recognized the unique role they must play in creating the conditions necessary for building interoperable systems. As a result, while agency leaders and program managers seek to organize and work differently—to get people to do different things in new ways—they continue to be constrained by the traditional bureaucratic models that favor and reinforce the old ways of doing things.

Four recommendations for government leaders

Leaders must use their political will to create the conditions for interoperability, in particular for establishing appropriate policy frameworks and creating the governance mechanisms necessary for governments to organize and work effectively along new lines; networks of organizations working collaboratively on common interests and shared priorities.

A more interoperable government can change the nature of democracy, and citizen participation, and provide systems for services improvement, efficient and effective operations of government, and the development of stable and vital economies. Four recommendations for realizing these changes are presented as a roadmap for government leaders. Collectively, the recommendations guide the transition to the policy environment for creating the interoperability necessary to realize government transformation. The recommendations focus on changes that must be made to create a government that is capable of effectively managing itself and its resources to provide the day-to-day services necessary to its citizens while at the same time being prepared to work with others to respond to crises as they emerge; in a sense creating a government worth having.