Council for Simplification

Introduction

The Council for Simplification offers to assist Luxembourg administrations in optimising their procedures and internal processes. At the request of a state entity, the Council for Simplification conducts an in-depth analysis of the requesting entity’s existing or planned structures, procedures and services in order to make them clearer, more accessible and easier to use for citizens and businesses.

Objectives

The Council’s ambition is to optimise the user experience for citizens, businesses and public officials at all levels of government. The Council empowers and supports ministries and administrations that request its assistance, encourages a culture of cooperation and knowledge sharing, and supports the implementation of solutions focused on the needs of citizens and businesses.

Achieving these objectives requires a comprehensive, human-centred approach. What are the real needs of citizens? What administrative obstacles need to be removed? The Council explores these questions in depth and in consultation with public sector stakeholders identifies concrete areas for improvement. This approach is in line with its motto: ‘Simplifying together, step by step.’

Approach

The Council adopts a user-centred design approach and considers administrative processes independently and without value judgement. It introduces the users’ perspective into the administrative environment through life events and challenges standard practices.

The Council for Simplification first works with the requesting government entity to assess the current state of a procedure, process or working method used by that entity and determines how it could be developed to best meet the needs of the target audience.

The Council for Simplification then assists the state entity with the desired simplification. This may involve :

• the services offered by an entity to citizens and businesses,
• all types of structures within an administration,
• the daily work of a state entity’s employees.

Whether it involves rethinking processes, adapting structures or moving towards new ways of working, the Council for Simplification assists with specific requests and works with stakeholders to develop appropriate solutions.

Its objective is to make everyday life easier for citizens, businesses and public officials.

Three fundamental principles

The Council is based on three fundamental principles: activation, empowerment and networking.

• activation: by raising awareness among administrations of the potential for simplification, it encourages a dynamic of change.
• empowerment: by sharing knowledge and methods, it enables public officials to carry out improvements themselves.
• networking: by promoting collaboration between departments and administrations, it supports the creation of networks.

In line with this approach, the Council is constantly exploring new methods and refining its approach in order to gradually transform the administration for the benefit of all.

Nine guidelines for simplifying step by step

Simplification is achieved in small steps. It does not need to be radical to be effective. The Council for Simplification works in a structured and targeted manner, using appropriate methods and tools. In small iterative steps, it proposes to review processes and services in order to improve the experience of citizens, businesses and public sector employees. It builds on existing knowledge, challenges existing processes and explores new adventures – always with a view to achieving tangible simplification:

1. understanding people and their needs,
2. simplifying together, with and for everyone,
3. developing comprehensive solutions,
4. fulfilling a clearly defined mission,
5. following the structures and exploring new adventures,
6. using appropriate methods and tools,
7. communicating openly and clearly,
8. structuring in a reliable and sustainable manner,
9. sharing a common goal and work culture.

Simplification concerns everyone. It requires open-mindedness and a clear objective in order to establish a climate of trust and a shared work culture. Everyone can contribute to simplifying processes and making them more accessible. Through cross-sector collaboration and a commitment to optimising processes, we encourage public sector employees to participate in essential and sustainable simplification initiatives.