The Digital Expertise Architecture

Designing clear roles and feedback loops for effective digital governance.

A Ministry of Digital Affairs, a Delta Commissioner, and the current Nederlandse Digitaliseringsstrategie
(NDS) all lack precisely this clarity: distinct roles and functioning control loops.

The following levels can operate with no overlap and a clear focus:

• Operational (Internal Affairs) → NL Digital Knowledge Exchange - digitalekenniswisseling.nl
• Tactical (Internal Affairs) → NL Digital Expertise Body - orgaandigitaleexpertise.nl
• Standards (General Affairs) → NL Standardisation Forum - forumstandaardisatie.nl
• Strategic (General Affairs) → NL Central Digital Affairs - centraledigitalezaken.nl
• Decision → Cabinet
• Parallel Body (Public–Private) → ECP - NL Platform for the Information Society - ecp.nl

Adding ECP institutionalizes the public–private–societal dialogue without diluting governmental responsibility.

In governance terms, this structure ensures that:

• Innovation signals are captured early and channelled into formal decision-making.
• Market and societal perspectives are transparently integrated into tactical and strategic processes.
• Checks against institutional capture are embedded, since ECP has no steering or service-delivery mandate.

About Digital Control

With precise technical detailing, my tools give managers the clarity to share insights and challenge staff.
Requesting action at the right level — or from the right supplier — often consumes excessive specialist time.
Clear governance structures reduce that burden and strengthen accountability throughout the digital chain.

Visit janwillemstegink.nl to learn more.