Interoperability, explained: What it is, why it matters, and how to get started

What is interoperability?

Interoperability is the ability for systems to connect and co-create value. Interoperability lets systems “speak” to each other in ways that produce mutual benefit, reduce friction among stakeholders sharing data or web services, and let teams build together with components like APIs. 

Each organization should own its interoperability approach and publish a clear statement — grounded in open standards and open data models — so information is understandable to new staff, partners, and external users. Think of it as a Memorandum of Understanding at scale for anyone who might integrate with your services or data.

Why interoperability?

Interoperability matters because it levels the playing field and opens market access so anyone can participate. 

Interoperability enables partnerships by making it easier to share data and services, and it shares the burden by having each organization take responsibility for how they integrate and consume others’ data. 

Interoperability also speeds up product development by encouraging consistent approaches instead of requiring developers, for example, to learn every new API or dataset from scratch. 

Interoperability helps you align with industry norms and regulatory requirements, and reduces reputational and security risks by building on proven, robust practices.

The four layers of interoperability

Interoperability has four layers that build on each other: 

• Foundational, which asks whether systems can connect at all—the physical and digital capabilities needed to enable exchange 
• Structural/syntactic, which asks whether systems can communicate—data arrives in a format the other side can accept and process 
• Semantic, which asks whether systems can comprehend—the receiving side interprets the data as intended using shared meaning and comparability; and 
• Organisational, which asks whether people can collaborate—with governance, policies, data-sharing protocols, and a developer portal that equip teams to work across systems.

Your Interoperability Toolkit

An interoperability toolkit is a simple way to show where you are now and where you’re heading so partners can connect and collaborate successfully. 

A toolkit can: 

• Explain your approach (a short statement or policy)
• List the data models and current APIs you use (with metadata and what’s public vs. confidential) 
• Include practical artifacts like terms of service, data-sharing contracts or licenses 
• Document a reference library of the standards and regulations you align with, and 
• Provide a brief outline of your data-quality processes. 
• You can also add a lightweight roadmap so others see what’s live and what’s coming next, plus a way to give feedback. 

Together, this makes it easier to start building working relationships and to check your alignment with industry consultations or new proposed paths.

Getting started

You can get started by publishing a one-page interoperability statement. Then, over time, inventory your current APIs, data models, and standards. This will let you assemble a basic toolkit and spot gaps across the four layers (connect, communicate, comprehend, collaborate). 

Pick one pilot integration, set a 90-day roadmap with two or three high-impact fixes, and open a simple feedback channel for partners.

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