The Local Digital team in the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) has begun a discovery project to understand the potential for scaling up data standards in local government.
The move is part of an effort to extend the range of standards available and ensure they are commonly used in the sector; and in turn to improve interoperability between digital systems and encourage data sharing.
The team has published a blogpost saying the discovery has three main strands, one being on identifying the conditions needed for the successful implementation of data and API standards.
Another is focused on governance, with an analysis of case studies where standards have been effectively implemented and maintained to determine the best models of ownership.
Further potential
A third strand is looking at areas for which new standards should be developed.
Local Digital said it is working closely with iStand UK, which has recently published a playbook on the use of standards for vulnerability data, on the project.
“By engaging with central and local government, the private sector and other sector organisations, we aim to understand the landscape and clearly define our role in standards creation, adoption and ownership,” Local Digital said.
