Framework for designing interoperable public service architectures with exemplification along small-scale procurement and PEPPOL

Abstract

Digitalization of public services, particularly in cross-border contexts, demands for a high level of interoperability. To effectively and systematically cater for interoperability in public service design, architecture development methodologies represent important means of support. The Design Science Research Methodology (DSRM) or the The Open Group Architecture Framework (TOGAF) Architecture Development Method (ADM) provide great tools for rigorously developing digital public services and service architectures. However, these approaches do not per se sufficiently address interoperability. This paper proposes a methodical framework based on DSRM and TOGAF to develop public service architectures, which tackles all layers of interoperability of the European Interoperability Framework (EIF). The proposed framework is tested on the use-case of small-scale public procurement services and on PEPPOL standard specifications. The framework comprises six phases, covering the four layers of interoperability and the TOGAF viewpoints while enabling an iterative design process, which is inspired by DSRM.