Future-proofing eGovernment for the Digital Single Market : an assessment of digital public service delivery in Europe : final insight report, June 2015

"It is always wise to look ahead, but difficult to look further than you can see". This also reflects the dilemma many organisations must confront today: when technology is advancing as quickly as it is in this day and age, how can we define a sustainable strategy that allows us to improve fundamentally in the long run? There are two parts to the story: the first is the ability to use technology for customer engagement, better internal processes and to change business models. Technology is used as a means to increase value, in the case of public organisations: to increase public value. The second lever for a successful digital journey is committed leadership. Research shows that successful digital transformation does not happen bottom-up, but is steered at executive level: setting direction, building momentum and ensuring the organisation has followed through on its initial successes. Perhaps it is time for a paradigm shift? The key to unlocking the potential of eGovernment for EU Member States might very well be in shifting the focus from the national level to the European Digital Single Market. The Digital Single Market for Europe is an important goal and offers huge growth potential. In a Digital Single Market, everything that is possible in the physical Single Market - and more - should also be possible in the digital world. The European Commission's new Digital Market Strategy was unveiled in May 2015. It will focus on: - Better access for consumers and businesses to digital goods and services across Europe: facilitating e-commerce, tackling geoblocking, modernising copyright and simplifying VAT arrangements. - Creating the right conditions, level playing field and environment for digital networks and services to flourish: infrastructure as a backbone for innovative digital services, 4G, increasing transparency and trust, personal data protection. - Maximising the growth potential of the digital economy: industry 4.0, standards, data economy, cloud computing, interoperable e-services and digital skills.