Public Official Advocates Against Blind Automation of Government Procedures - Administrative processes remain undigitalized, according to the Minister's statement.
Minister Schuetz Urges Cautious Approach in Public Sector Digitization
Digital Minister Steffen Schuetz has expressed concerns about the blind digitization of administrative processes, arguing that fundamentally reforming or abolishing inefficient processes should be the priority before turning to technology. He also emphasized the need to review regulations and reporting obligations to determine what the state should provide and what it should not.
In an interview, Schuetz criticized the public sector's tendency to cling to dysfunctional processes and attempt to digitize them, saying that digitizing inadequate work processes only results in digitized inefficiency. He stressed the importance of focusing on the work processes themselves during the digitization process.
Thuringia, where Schuetz serves as minister, lags behind other federal states in the realm of digitization, as revealed by the Bitkom State Index 2024 and the Fraunhofer Institute for Open Communication Systems' Germany Index of Digitalization 2023.
While Schuetz did not provide specific proposals for improving Thuringia's public sector digitization, there are general efforts towards digitization in Germany. For instance, Germany is boosting digitization in the construction sector by introducing Building Information Modelling (BIM) as a new digital standard for both public and private projects. Moreover, a federal research center for sustainable construction is set to be established in cooperation with Saxony and Thuringia, potentially fostering innovation and digitization in the region.
Despite these efforts, regions like Thuringia often face challenges in digitization due to limited infrastructure and resources, complex or outdated regulatory frameworks, and the lack of investment in digital infrastructure such as high-speed internet and data management systems. The lack of specific details from Minister Schuetz makes it difficult to pinpoint the exact reasons for Thuringia's digitization issues compared to other states, but these factors are common challenges faced by many regions in Germany.
- In light of Minister Schuetz's call for a cautious approach in public sector digitization, the development of a community policy could prioritize vocational training in digital skills, ensuring that the workforce in Thuringia is equipped to handle the technological changes and drive digitization within the state.
- To bolster the business sector and overcome the digitization challenges in Thuringia, considering finance for vocational training programs focusing on technology and digital skills could be a strategic step towards fostering innovation and improving the regional economy.
