Back ground
In December 1999, the Danish government solicited project proposals for the improvement of public administration by using the Internet. The project was dubbed the “IT Lighthouse”, and the region of northern Jutland was selected as the project test area.
By November 2000 the Danish government had made its decision. The Dafolo proposal was chosen as the winner for the following reasons:
"The project is visionary, ambitious and involves many partners. The content of the project lives up to the requirements set forth by the ministries and public sector organisations in Denmark, particularly with regard to public service and strengthening of local democracy."
Dafolos ambition for the “IT Lighthouse” is to build it high enough to be seen by other regions and countries, and at the same time provide a source of illumination for the citizens living nearby.|top|
Goals
The overall goal of this project is to create a model for digital administration providing improved public service at less cost. The following aspects will be stressed:
- Better service to citizens
- Efficiency in public administration
- Democracy
- Training and development
Various methods will be employed to meet these goals.|top|
Methods
Four workgroups have been established to plan and implement different aspects of the project. These groups will become more integrated as work progresses toward the final result. The workgroups will be responsible for:
- External communication: defining the interactive dialogue between local government and
business/citizens
- The personal service site
- Internal work flow processes in the public administration
- Security and digital signature
Each group has a project manager to coordinate these activities.|top|
Four workgroups have been established to plan and implement different aspects of the project. These groups will become more integrated as work progresses toward the final result. The workgroups will be responsible for:
- External communication: defining the interactive dialogue between local government and
business/citizens
- The personal service site
- Internal work flow processes in the public administration
- Security and digital signature
Each group has a project manager to coordinate these activities.|top|
External communication
The focus here is to establish a standard for interactive dialogue between the public service sector and the citizens using electronic forms. Confidentiality as well as data security in relation to implementation of digital signature will be of primary concern. Faster and better public service are the intended benefits. |top|
The focus here is to establish a standard for interactive dialogue between the public service sector and the citizens using electronic forms. Confidentiality as well as data security in relation to implementation of digital signature will be of primary concern. Faster and better public service are the intended benefits. |top|
The personal service site
Every citizen will have access to local government through a personal portal. This will consist of a personalized home page, where the user can find information of public interest - such as meeting agendas or telephone numbers, as well as private interest - such as current status of their own case. This will enhance local democracy by providing each individual with greater insight into the public administration.
Local government can use the personal service site to send differentiated information directly to each citizen. Additionally, information gathered from the personal service site can easily be incorporated into workflow processes. |top|
Every citizen will have access to local government through a personal portal. This will consist of a personalized home page, where the user can find information of public interest - such as meeting agendas or telephone numbers, as well as private interest - such as current status of their own case. This will enhance local democracy by providing each individual with greater insight into the public administration.
Local government can use the personal service site to send differentiated information directly to each citizen. Additionally, information gathered from the personal service site can easily be incorporated into workflow processes. |top|
Internal workflow processes
Creation of workflow processes using "intelligent" forms is an important element of the project. Information already known by the public administration (i.e. postal address, tax level, age, etc.) will be re-used to minimize redundant data. Citizens will easily find help and information through relevant links embedded directly in their forms.
Dafolo has identified these case types as being the most prevalent:
- Change of address
- Sick leave/compensation
- Application for construction permit
By applying workflow to these case types we expect an increase in efficiency, fewer errors and better documentation of each case.
|top|
Creation of workflow processes using "intelligent" forms is an important element of the project. Information already known by the public administration (i.e. postal address, tax level, age, etc.) will be re-used to minimize redundant data. Citizens will easily find help and information through relevant links embedded directly in their forms.
Dafolo has identified these case types as being the most prevalent:
- Change of address
- Sick leave/compensation
- Application for construction permit
By applying workflow to these case types we expect an increase in efficiency, fewer errors and better documentation of each case.
|top|
Security and digital signature
IT managers and civil servants must learn to work with digital processes while protecting the confidentiality and civil rights of each citizen. This raises the challenge of creating a system that is easy to learn and use, while maintaining adequate safeguards to prevent abuse of the information it contains. Primary areas of concern are:
- Digital signature as a guarantee of personal identity
- Access control and documentation (access logs)
- Protection of privacy
By addressing these issues, we hope to create a foundation for training and development of public administration personnel.
|top|
IT managers and civil servants must learn to work with digital processes while protecting the confidentiality and civil rights of each citizen. This raises the challenge of creating a system that is easy to learn and use, while maintaining adequate safeguards to prevent abuse of the information it contains. Primary areas of concern are:
- Digital signature as a guarantee of personal identity
- Access control and documentation (access logs)
- Protection of privacy
By addressing these issues, we hope to create a foundation for training and development of public administration personnel.
|top|
