Building a global language: the role of standards in interoperable systems

Why should we care about standards? 

Standards underpin many aspects of our daily lives. They are the reason why a credit card issued in one country can be used seamlessly in another, and why a worn bicycle part can be replaced by a new one that fits just right. Technical standards make things work – smoothly, reliably and efficiently.   

Standards are increasingly important in the delivery of social protection. Government departments, agencies and organizations need to exchange large volumes of data with one another to identify beneficiaries, enroll them in programs, issue payments or other services, and monitor outcomes. Without technical standards for digital information exchange, these steps can be slow, inefficient and riddled with errors. As a result, people eligible for social protection benefits may have difficulty accessing them or fail to do so entirely.   

A common framework for communication 

Standards are essential for interoperability among digital information systems. They provide a common framework for communication between diverse systems by defining how data is formatted and exchanged. For example, agreed technical standards in the health sector (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources, or FHIR) make it possible for information to be shared between health facilities, laboratories, pharmacies and insurance schemes.  

The Digital Convergence Initiative is spearheading a global effort to harmonize technical standards for interoperability in social protection through transparent, multi-stakeholder, consensus-building processes. The aim is to build a ‘global language’ that can accelerate the digital transformation of social protection systems and hasten the achievement of universal social protection. As part of this workstream, interoperability standards have been developed and endorsed by USP2030 members for the interfaces between social protection systems and those of other systems, including civil registration and vital statistics, disability registry, farmer registry, integrated beneficiary registry, and social registry.  

Towards universal standards applicable across national contexts 

The DCI approach to technical standards is informed by the EU Interoperability Framework (EIF), a set of recommendations which guide public administrations on setting up and managing interoperable systems. The EIF interoperability model includes six layers of interoperability: interoperability governance, integrated public service governance, legal, organisational, semantic and technical. Because the legal frameworks and governance structures vary significantly from one country to another, it is challenging to create universal standards that encompass these aspects. Therefore, the DCI standards are designed to focus specifically on the final three layers of the framework. These layers are more technical and operational in nature, making them suitable for consistent application across different national contexts.  

Process, data and API:  the three components of technical standards 

Process standards, which align with the organizational layer in the EIF, define business processes and workflows. They describe what data needs to be exchanged at various points along the social protection delivery chain, and why. For example, the intake of beneficiaries into a farmer shock relief program can be done by requesting information from the farmer registry, rather than registering farmers directly into the shock relief program. The eligibility of these potential beneficiaries can also be confirmed via the farmer registry by specifying criteria, such as the type of farming or the location of the farm. Use cases like these are documented, diagrammed and explained in detail as part of the process standards. 

Data standards, which align with the semantic layer in the EIF, ensure a shared language and format for data used across diverse systems and by different organisations. For each interface, data standards define the data objects which can be exchanged. Data objects are collections of attributes that describe an entity, such as a person or a household. In the case of a person, attributes that are universally applicable might include name, date of birth, and gender.  The data standards define the structure and format (such as data type and format) for these attributes and establish validation rules to ensure consistent understanding of the exchanged data across different systems. 

Code directories are another key part of data standards. They offer a repository for organising and storing code sets, code values, and associated metadata. Code directories can be understood as standardized lists, analogous to a drop-down menu, that provide predefined values for data attributes, such as marital status, gender, location or profession. They help to make datasets more readable and comparable. Where possible, code directories are aligned to existing international classifications.   

API standards, which align with the technical layer in the EIF, outline the methods and protocols that the systems can use to exchange data. Software developers and people who implement the endorsed standards use these APIs to exchange data in their information systems. 

A journey, not a destination 

Once a standards interface is developed, reviewed and endorsed by USP2030 members, it is documented and published on GitHub and GitBook as a digital public good. Countries can adopt the standards and use them within their own systems. DCI supports the implementation of standards in selected countries and also provides timebound technical advisory services through a helpdesk to any stakeholder interested in adopting these standards.  

The endorsement of a standards interface is not the end of the road, but a milestone on a longer journey. Technology advances, information systems evolve, and standards need to be revised from time to time to meet these changing needs. Feedback from practical experiences is crucial for identifying challenges which need to be addressed. The exchange of knowledge and experience between countries is particularly important for keeping standards updated and fit for purpose.   

Want to get involved? 

You can learn more about the standards development process here.  

Standards interfaces for identification systems, payment systems, early warning systems and employment registries are under development. If you are interested in getting involved, please email DCI at contact@spdci.org.

Author: Karen Birdsall