Digital Government Regulatory Framework

The Digital Government Regulatory Framework is an organizational tool based on international best practices. With this framework, the main components of designing and strategically executing the digital government policy are created, and it works on unifying the methods of policies, standards and guidelines of digital government.

This Framework consists of 8 principles, where the policies and standard of digital government were built upon it. These 8 principles are built based on a survey taken by member countries of United Nations in relevance to e-Government Development Index (EGDI) and the main principles of the regulatory framework of the digital government policies framework (DGPF Principles), which is under OECD.

As the framework also includes the digital government policy. It works on empowering and fastening sustainable digital transformation to the public sector in both: medium and long term. This structure supports the successful execution of the strategic approaches of the digital government. The main goal of the digital government policy is to build a whole digital government eco-system that focuses on its beneficiaries from citizens, residents, and visitors. It addresses the simplification of digital transformation in the public sector through strengthening and improving its responsiveness to meet the needs and priorities to beneficiaries. It contains five sub-policies. In each of these sub-policies includes several standards and user guides that support the implementation mechanism and contribute to enhancing the regulatory environment.

Principles of the Framework

There are eight essential principles the Framework is based on.

Digital by design

Establish clear organizational leadership, paired with effective co-ordination and enforcement mechanisms where “digital” is considered not only a technical topic, but also a mandatory transformative element to be embedded throughout policy processes.

Mobile-first

Design websites first for mobile devices, including only those tasks/items that website visitors use most.

Then, as the screen real estate increases, add in tasks/features as needed based on user priority.

Once-Only Principle

Aim to ensure that citizens, institutions, and companies only have to provide certain standard information to the authorities and administrations once.

Ease of policy Formulation

Policy, Standard or Guideline should be simple and clear in order to make it easier to administer and apply by the government agencies.

Government as a Platform

The government should act as a platform for meeting the needs of users.

Provide clear and transparent sources of guidelines, tools, data and software that equip teams to deliver user-driven, consistent, seamless, integrated, proactive and cross-sectoral service delivery.

Open by default

Make government data and policy-making processes (including algorithms) available for the public to engage with, within the limits of existing legislation and in balance with the national and public interest.

Digital-first

Use the appropriate mix of electronic channels of communication and engagement to improve citizen satisfaction in service delivery.

Reach new levels of engagement and trust, and increase efficiency within the Public Service.

Digital by default

Develop Digital Government applications and services which are so straightforward and convenient that all those who can use the Digital Government applications and services will choose to do so, while those who can’t are not excluded.

Digital Government Policy

The Digital Government Policy sets the overall direction to achieve sustainable long term government digital transformation in the Kingdom. The Digital Government Policy supports the strategic plans of the development of government entities that are fully aligned with the National Digital Government Strategy . It also supports the implementation of such plans. Five specialized policies, derived from the Digital Government Policy, cover critical digital government areas: governance; digital services management; augmenting beneficiaries’ engagement; developing the necessary human capabilities; and adopting modern technologies and methodologies. The DGA leads the Digital Government Policy implementation by developing and publishing standards and procedures, supporting their adoption across government, and monitoring compliance while collaborating closely with all relevant government entities. That ensures the alignment of digital government across sectors, increases efficiency and optimizes the use of technical resources and investments, all contributing to achieving the Kingdom’s Vision 2030.

The objectives of this Policy are:

Create a comprehensive digital government ecosystem focused on beneficiaries.

Facilitate government sector digital transformation by enhancing its responsiveness to the needs and priorities of beneficiaries.

Define the principles, enablers and driving factors, and the governance structures needed to achieve the strategic goals and objectives of the National Digital Government Strategy.

Improve the Kingdom’s rankings in the United Nations E-Government Development Index.

Policies Derived

The Governance and Compliance Policy is one of the policies included in the digital government framework which is considered as a regulatory tool that adheres to international best practices It aims to unify the concepts of digital government policies, standards, and guidelines to build a reference framework for government entities to follow during their implementation work.

Governance and Compliance is one of five Polices derived from the Digital Government Policy that supports and enables government entities in their sustainable digital transformation strategy on both: short and long term. It also helps them to successfully implement the Digital Government strategic directions.

The Governance and Compliance Policy is the reference for relevant roles and responsibilities, including, but not limited to, the following: digital government services, overseeing its design and development, procurement, relevant licensing, measurement of services' performance and its maturity level.

This scope of this policy covers the main aspects related to the Governance of digital government-related activities, and Government entities compliance to current regulations. It particularly focuses on the following areas:

Oversight.

Privacy.

Funding.

Licensing and accreditation.

Procurement.

The policy applies to all government entities.

The Whole of Government Platforms Policy is one of the policies included in the digital government framework which is considered as a regulatory tool that adheres to international best practices. It is adopted to unify the concepts of digital government policies, standards, and guidelines in building a reference framework for government entities to follow during their implementation work.

Whole of Government Platforms is one of five polices derived from the Digital Government Policy that supports and enables government entities in their sustainable digital transformation strategy on the short term and on the long term also. It also helps them to successfully implement the Digital Government strategic directions.

The Lifecycle Administration and Upskilling Policy is one of the policies derived from the Digital Government Framework that is considered as a regulatory tool which adheres to international best practices. It helps to unify the concepts of digital government policies, standards, and guidelines: a necessity to build a reference framework for government entities to follow during their implementation work.

Lifecycle Administration and Upskilling Policy is one of the five specialized policies of the Digital Government Policy that supports and enables government entities in their sustainable digital transformation strategy in the short and long run. It also helps them to successfully implement the digital government strategic directions.

Beneficiary Centricity Policy is one of the specialized policies of the Digital Government Policy that supports and enables government entities in their sustainable digital transformation strategy in the short and long term. It also helps them to successfully implement the digital government strategic directions.

Technology policy is one of the five derived polices from the Digital Government Policy that supports and enables government entities in their sustainable digital transformation ongoing strategy. It also helps them to successfully implement the Digital Government strategic directions.

Controls and Standards

The Digital Government Authority is officially mandated the task of maintaining controls and standards in its affairs, and based on its competence, to regulate the work of the digital government and to achieve the integration between all government entities.

The authority sets technical standards for digital transformation models in government sectors and follow up in coordination with the competent authorities.

To enhance the reliability and continuity of digital government services in government entities, DGA has prepared “Business Continuity Management Standards”, as one of the regulations included in the regulatory framework for digital government business. Consequently, this enahnces the level of maturity in digital government services and ensure business continuity and sustainability. This is not limited to the digital government sector only, but extends to various other sectors because of their impact that ensures the preservation of the capabilities and services provided and their reliability.