Harnessing Digitalisation: The Transformation Journey of the Riigikogu of Estonia
About the Riigikogu of Estonia | Written on September, 2022
Introduction
The Riigikogu, the unicameral parliament of Estonia, has experienced a remarkable transformation propelled by advanced digitalisation. The evolution of its digital capabilities over time illustrates how technology can be leveraged to streamline legislative procedures, enhance public engagement, and increase governmental transparency.
Co-working Spaces and Interaction with Citizens
One striking aspect of the Riigikogu's digitalisation process is the development of digital co-working spaces. These platforms are designed to ease the interaction between the Riigikogu and its citizens, offering a simplified overview of legislative processes and providing access to various legislative documents. There is a conscious decision not to oversimplify these documents, maintaining the integrity of legal terminology and nuances. This approach reflects a balance between making legislation more accessible to the public and preserving the legal essence of such documents.
Digitisation and Interlinkages
An integral part of the Riigikogu's digital transformation is the ability to establish linkages across legislative materials. Through digitisation, the process of tracking references from one bill to another, and the connection between various legislative pieces, is facilitated. This streamlined approach is indicative of a well-thought-out digitalisation process that seeks to enhance the coherence and traceability of legislative works.
Agile Methodology and Rapid Deployment
The Riigikogu's approach to digital transformation relies heavily on the principles of Agile methodology, emphasising iterative development, feedback incorporation, and rapid deployment of new features. This methodology allows for continuous improvements, responding quickly to user feedback and system requirements. The regular updates, approximately every two weeks, are indicative of a highly dynamic digital environment that adjusts rapidly to evolving needs and contexts.
Challenges in the Transformation Process
Like any substantial transformation process, the Riigikogu's digital journey was not without challenges. A significant hurdle was staff turnover, with project members and developers frequently moving between projects or leaving the organisation. Such changes often caused delays in development and highlighted the need for effective staff retention strategies within the digital transformation environment.
Change Management
For the Riigikogu members using the newly digitalised systems, change management was crucial. The shift from traditional to digital platforms required members to adapt to new ways of accessing and interpreting legislative documents, highlighting the importance of supportive measures for users transitioning to new digital platforms. A strategy to facilitate this transition is yet to be developed, indicating an area for future growth in the transformation process.
Open Source and Cloud Computing
The technology driving the Riigikogu's digitalisation primarily revolves around open-source software, reflecting a preference for transparency and community-based development. This preference for open-source technology is paired with a gradual shift towards cloud computing, recognising the need for increased data accessibility and security. However, this transition is currently in the early stages, signifying the ongoing evolution of the Riigikogu's digital infrastructure.
Conclusion
The Riigikogu of Estonia's digital transformation showcases a comprehensive and thoughtful approach to integrating advanced technologies into legislative procedures. Despite the challenges encountered, the progressive steps taken towards enhanced citizen interaction, interlinked legislative materials, agile development, and the adoption of open-source and cloud technologies highlight the potential of digitalisation in the public sector. As this transformation journey continues, further strategies to manage change and sustain staff retention will be crucial to ensuring the successful evolution of the Riigikogu's digital landscape.