Author: Swiss Federal Council
Source: [VDTI (PDF Document)](not available)
Publication Date: November 25, 2020
Summary Reading Time: 4-5 minutes

Executive Summary

The VDTI has regulated the digital transformation of the Swiss Federal Administration since January 2021 through new organizational structures and coordination mechanisms. Central Innovation: A cross-departmental digitalization council and standardized ICT governance are intended to increase efficiency and avoid duplication. Strategic Relevance: The ordinance creates the legal foundation for coordinated digitalization that should enable internationally competitive e-government services.

Critical Key Questions

What structural barriers could hinder centralized ICT governance in a federalist administrative culture?
How dependent is the effectiveness of the VDTI on political continuity and resource availability?
What opportunities arise for Switzerland in international e-government comparison if the VDTI is successfully implemented?

Main Summary

Core Theme & Context

The VDTI replaces the Federal Informatics Ordinance of 2011 and establishes a central coordination structure for the digital transformation of the Swiss Federal Administration. It responds to the necessity of cross-departmental ICT governance in an increasingly interconnected administrative landscape.

Most Important Facts & Figures

• Scope: Central Federal Administration + voluntary integration of decentralized units • New Structure: DTI delegate directly subordinate to the Federal Chancellor
• Coordination Body: Digitalization council with representatives from all departments • Maximization: At most one ICT service provider per department • Data Management: Central MDG system for master data management • Retention: 30 years for central data in the MDG system • Financing: Fundamentally decentralized, with central coordination

Stakeholders & Affected Parties

Primarily affected: All administrative units of the central Federal Administration, departments, Federal Chancellery

Secondarily involved: Decentralized Federal Administration, federal institutions, cantons and municipalities (through agreements)

ICT Service Providers: Internal service providers, external contractors under stricter security requirements

Opportunities & Risks

Opportunities:

Elimination of duplication through central coordination
Standardization and interoperability of systems
Cost savings through common standard services
Improved cybersecurity through uniform standards

Risks:

Resistance to centralization in federalist culture
Complexity of the transition phase until 2024
Dependence on central coordination office
Potential delays in cross-departmental decisions

Scenario Analysis: Future Perspectives

Short-term (1 year)

Consolidation of new governance structures, first standard services operational, possible resistance in departments, adaptation of internal processes to new directive structures.

Medium-term (5 years)

Complete integration of all administrative levels, established standard services show efficiency gains, possible expansion to cantons and municipalities, new digital services for citizens and businesses.

Long-term (10-20 years)

Switzerland as e-government pioneer, fully automated administrative processes, AI-based services, possible role model function for other countries, fundamental transformation of administrative culture.

Action Relevance

Immediate Measures: Compliance review of existing ICT structures, adaptation to new directive structures

Strategic Decisions: Evaluation of external service providers regarding new security requirements, investment planning for standard services

Time-critical: Transitional provisions only apply until end of 2023 for existing agreements

Fact-checking

✅ Verified: Entry into force January 1, 2021, repeal of Federal Informatics Ordinance of December 9, 2011, transition periods until December 31, 2023

⚠️ To be verified: Current implementation progress since 2021, practical experiences with the new governance structure

Bibliography

Primary Source:

Ordinance on Digital Transformation and Information Technology (VDTI) of November 25, 2020 - [PDF Document]

Supplementary Sources:

Verification Status: ✅ Facts checked on today's date