The Location Interoperability Framework Observatory (LIFO) monitors the implementation of location interoperability good practices in European public administrations, based on the level of adoption of recommendations in the five focus areas of the European Union Location Framework (EULF) Blueprint. LIFO information is captured through a national user survey, with 10 countries participating in 2019 and 23 in 2020.
Given the commitment by participants, it was seen as important to obtain a user assessment of the LIFO process and outputs and to determine what improvements are needed. To this end, four countries - Czech Republic, Italy, Norway and Slovenia - participated in a structured ‘case study’ assessment, examining the following:
- the LIFO process
- LIFO online tools,
- LIFO outreach
- Usage of LIFO results
- evolution of LIFO
Findings
The case studies highlighted the relevance and usefulness of the LIFO process, which was seen as an important opportunity to:
- have an up-to-date picture of the location interoperability status;
- identify possible implementation gaps and provide support;
- find out about best practices in different countries;
- enable exchanges by sharing different views and identifying strengths and weaknesses.
There is still limited awareness of the use and benefits of LIFO outside of the geospatial community, although some countries have taken steps to extend this awareness.
Recommendations
Various 'user' recommendations emerged from the exercise, including:
- Give the EULF Blueprint and LIFO an official/legal basis;
- Streamline the LIFO process where possible;
- Implement proposed improvements, including a self-assessment option;
- Increase awareness through additional promotional material and other tools;
- Classify best practices to facilitate easier reuse (e.g. geographical scope, domain);
- Support Member States in implementation of specific EULF Blueprint actions;
- Make LIFO a regular and systematic monitoring process;
- Align LIFO more fully with other processes and frameworks (NIFO, Common European Data Spaces, UN-GGIM IGIF).
Download the report here