Executive Summary
On March 6, 2026, the Federal Council decided on a paradigm shift in the digital transformation of the federal administration. Instead of individual digitalization solutions, more shared solutions should be developed in the future. Core measures include systematic synergy reviews for projects with a volume of one million Swiss francs or more and a simplified governance model with faster decision-making processes. The Federal Chancellery has been tasked with requesting the necessary legal and organizational changes by the end of 2026.
Persons
- Federal Council (Collegiate body)
Topics
- Digital Transformation
- Federal Administration
- Synergies and Cost Efficiency
- Governance and Management Models
Clarus Lead
The Federal Council is intensifying the coordination of digital transformation in the federal administration. Instead of isolated projects, federal offices should reuse existing solutions in the future and thereby save costs. Two concrete measures are intended to enable this: Synergy reviews for all projects with a volume of one million Swiss francs or more and a streamlined decision-making model with clear distribution of competencies. This reduces administrative delays and enables faster implementation of strategic digitalization objectives.
Detailed Summary
For five years, the federal government has been steering digital transformation according to a governance model introduced in 2021. The Digital Transformation and ICT Governance (DTI) division at the Federal Chancellery coordinates these activities. The current decision marks a strategic reorientation: previous isolated solutions from individual departments are to be replaced by coordinated, reusable solutions.
The first main element is the introduction of systematic synergy reviews. For all projects with a total volume of one million Swiss francs or more, the responsible department examines whether shared solutions already exist and whether standards are being applied. For major projects with a volume of five million Swiss francs or more, the DTI division conducts this review. Funds are only released once the synergy review is completed. This creates financial incentives for cooperation.
The second element concerns the optimization of the governance model. The Federal Council wants to distribute competencies more clearly and reduce internal consultations. The Federal Digitalization Council can thereby focus more strongly on strategic issues. At the same time, access to shared solutions is simplified, from which multiple federal offices benefit.
The Digital Transformation Ordinance (DigiV) will be amended. The Federal Chancellery has until the end of 2026 to develop the necessary legal, organizational, and financial changes and submit them to the Federal Council for approval.
Key Messages
- Paradigm Shift: From individual to shared digitalization solutions
- Synergy Review Requirement: All projects with CHF 1 million or more must be reviewed for reusability
- Streamlined Governance: Clear distribution of competencies and fewer internal consultations accelerate decisions
- Cost Savings: Reuse of existing solutions reduces duplicate work
- Implementation Deadline: Legal adjustments by end of 2026
Critical Questions
Evidence/Data Quality: On what data basis is the assumption that synergy reviews starting at CHF 1 million represent the optimal threshold? Are there analyses of previous duplicate work?
Conflicts of Interest: What incentives do departments have to share their solutions if they risk losing control? How is ownership regulated for shared solutions?
Causality: Is poor coordination or insufficient governance the main problem? Could other factors (missing standards, technical incompatibility) cause fragmentation?
Feasibility: How will it be ensured that the synergy review does not lead to additional bureaucracy? Who bears the costs of the review?
Risks: Could centralized solutions lead to single points of failure? How is resilience and failover security guaranteed?
Alternatives: Were incentive models (e.g., cost reimbursement for solution providers) or market mechanisms evaluated against regulation?
Source Directory
Primary Source: Federal Government Press Release – Federal Council Wants More Collaboration in Digital Transformation of Federal Administration
Verification Status: ✓ March 6, 2026
This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: March 6, 2026