Modular and decoupled

Statement

Solutions are built from independent building blocks with clear interfaces, so each can be replaced or extended without affecting the others.

Rationale

Countries move at different speeds and use different systems. Loose coupling lets each country change its systems without breaking cross-border exchange. Modularity also simplifies change, reduces complexity and improves maintainability and scalability.

Implications

• Data is separated from functionality.
• Building blocks communicate only through published, standardised interfaces.
• Functions, data structures and technologies are decoupled, so each can change on its own.
• Applications can use external data and functions.
• We avoid vendor lock-in.

References: Sigra 2025; VWS 2025; WHO n.d.; Nictiz & The Open Group 2023.