Decision-making levels

In the course of implementing the strategy (see implementation model in Chapter Implementation), decisions have to be made at several points that determine whether and how the process will continue. For this reason, GD:B governance sets out the ways in which decisions are made at different levels, each of which includes specific roles, competencies and tasks:

1. Governance level: Measures

Strategy measures are implemented by Action Teams. These can consist of different actors from the administration, the urban community or both working together. In the context of each measure, an appropriate governance structure is defined at the outset establishing clear-cut roles, responsibilities and contact persons (the preliminary process outlined in Chapter 5 Governance serves this purpose). The Action Teams can act independently in the implementation of their measures. They receive methodological and technical assistance from the central Support Team when applying the implementation model. Through regular exchange formats, those responsible for measures are networked with each other so they are able to share their experiences. Berlin’s urban community is involved in the development of GD:B strategy measures in a participatory manner so as to ensure they are inclusive, gender-appropriate and user-friendly.

2. Governance level: Selection

The key activity at this decision-making level is the selection of measures. Proposals for measures can come from the Berlin administration or via the Arena of Ideas (see Chapter Measures) from the urban community. The Smart City Unit at Berlin Partner GmbH supports the actors involved in developing and qualifying proposals to contribute to the fields of action defined in the GD:B strategy. The interdepartmental and cross-level Gemeinsam Digital team is able to provide support for measures put forward by the administration that are to be incorporated in the strategy. The CDO/StS D is responsible for deciding which of the proposed measures are to become part of the strategy, based on a selection made by the Digital Transformation Coordination Group, taking into account the needs of the urban community and potentially involving both the Strategy Advisory Board and the Strategy Board. The selection criteria [39] are based on the impact measurement of the strategy (see Chapter Impact Measurement) and the Values Compass. Selection of measures also depends on the availability of human and financial resources.

3. Governance level: Learning strategy

The GD:B strategy is designed as a learning strategy that is developed on an ongoing basis and whose effectiveness is reviewed annually. The further development of the strategy is the responsibility of the Gemeinsam Digital: Berlin Unit, which receives support from the Digital Transformation Coordination Group. The Strategy Advisory Board, the Digital Berlin Municipal Committee, and the Strategy Board are involved in further development, and the insights from the participatory formats of measure implementation are also used. Strategy evaluation is based on indicators of progress against the strategy’s Values Compass (see Chapter Values Compass) and strategy implementation indicators (see Chapter Impact Measurement). These help draw conclusions from the experience, thereby driving the joint learning process. This process allows elements of the strategy to be adapted as needed.