Digital transformation is becoming more and more important in all areas of life, not only in Germany, but also in the partner countries that are involved in German development cooperation. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic and the associated travel and contact restrictions, the process of digital transformation has been even further advanced on a global scale since 2020. Applying digital solutions may significantly contribute to achieving the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.
The task of quality infrastructure is to ensure the reliability, quality and interoperability of data, processes and services. Therefore, it is a basic requirement for the success of the digital transformation, which is based on measurement values, data, algorithms, mathematical and statistical methods as well as communication and security architectures. At the same time, quality infrastructure advances through digital transformation. It becomes more efficient and effective, but is also facing new challenges. As the national metrology institute of Germany, PTB plays a key role in this context. PTB’s orientation in this respect is defined in its study on digitalization of 2020, “Metrology for the digitalization of the economy and society” (PTB 2020). The core objectives of this study are ensuring the uniformity of metrology in a digitalized world, promoting the sustainable usability of research results and data, developing holistic concepts for handling measurement devices and data as well as supporting the efficient and safe use of digital technologies.
Group 9.3 is aware of the opportunities and challenges associated with digital transformation and continuously works on gearing project content and project management to the future. The current state of development and the concrete needs of the partner organizations in developing countries and countries in transition have been taken into account while drawing up the Digital Transformation Strategy that is presented here. The strategy creates a basis for successfully implementing projects which are increasingly being executed virtually and for systematically preparing the quality infrastructure in the partner countries for important digitalization trends. The strategy will thus contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in a better way and with a broader impact. Both the core objectives of PTB’s study on digitalization and the five objectives of the BMZ Digital Strategy will be taken into account. The Digital Transformation Strategy of PTB’s International Cooperation Group first describes the basis of the efforts Group 9.3 is planning to take in the field of digital transformation, comprising important trends and a framework for orientation. Subsequently, the key strategies are explained in detail. In Annex 1, the contributions of QI to the objectives of the BMZ in the field of digital transformation and an overview of possible lines of action and pilot measures for implementing the four key strategies are presented, including the interfaces to the BMZ’s objectives and Smart Development approaches (Annex 2). Annex 3 also includes additional information on digitalization and the digital transformation of the quality infrastructure.
You can find the brochure using the following link:
https://www.ptb.de/cms/fileadmin/internet/fachabteilungen/abteilung_9/9.3_internationale_zusammenarbeit/publikationen/Digitales_Arbeiten/PTB_Info_Digitalisierungsstrategie_DE.pdf
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