I recently came across a simple yet elegant explanation of how the Europeans institute interoperability. They used a creative metaphor that shows just how when everyone works together beautiful music can be made.

The premise of interoperability is that separate systems can function to their mutual benefit without losing their individual characteristics.

Your use of strategies to implement interoperable systems can show the same benefits to your organization.

Here is a rundown of what Europeans have known for years:

Individual standards or systems develop over time to protect organizational assets develop rules about how they interface with other systems, usually require translation of the differences or the compromise of one system to another. The result is dissonance.

Merging two or more systems results in the individual and valuable characteristics of one system being drowned out by the larger or more dominant system. The result is a single integrated system which no longer serves the needs of the individual participants.

A system that consist of interoperable parts, each of which can sustain itself, means that the benefits for both can be harmonized to support each system as well as creating a new and more effective whole. The trick is a coherent set of rules or standards or guidance that can only come from having a common script.

When we hear the expression “everybody” singing from the same song sheet it reminds of exactly how interoperability works. Each musician contributes to the whole and when on their own is still a viable soloist.

Here are three simple elements of interoperability that you can examine in your own organization:

• A common language: Just as the musicians in an orchestra have a musical score which tells them what notes to play, at what tempo and with what feeling, interoperable systems have set of standard tools that describe how the work will be done.


• A conductor: A conductor may seem to be in control of the orchestra, but musicians may tell you, that he or she is the guide and only occasionally the judge. In an interoperable system this is the assurance that there is an agreement for how to resolve disputes, and which provides guidance for all.


• • An agreement to respect boundaries: Just as in an orchestra, the players only play what is on their page. In fact, they can only see their parts. The trumpets do not try to play the parts of the violins and the timpani do not try to play flute parts. In an interoperable system, the individual parts respect their roles and rely upon the common guidance or standards to guide their efforts to produce the best sound.

A truly outstanding musical work is greater than the sum of its parts because the parts all operate coherently following standards, a score and with a respect for their colleagues. I was gratified to see interoperability so well expressed by the Europeans in such a simple and yet elegant format. Let the music play in your organization and see how much better everything sounds in harmony.

Get ready to take advantage of the best in interoperability. You may surprise yourself by the music you (and your team) can make.