The European Library of Architecture Principles (ELAP) and the ELAP Validator are intended to direct government organisations in initiating changes and implementing IT projects. Particularly when designing new or modified services, it is necessary to make visible how the principles are implemented and which considerations are made in this regard. The comply-or-explain principle applies here, whereby deviations are permitted, provided they are substantiated and recorded with good arguments whereby they can be revisited at a later stage. This prevents important matters from being overlooked.