Focus area 9 PROFESSIONAL MANAGEMENT OF IT SYSTEMS AND IT PROJECTS The Danish welfare model requires stable and efficient IT systems, and this is why good management of IT is crucial. The coming years will see a massive professionalisation of IT management in the central government to ensure a robust IT portfolio and foundation for further work to digitise central government. Moreover, the central government will prioritise its IT costs to ensure efficient administration of taxpayers' money. Finally, genuine competition and professional collaboration with suppliers utilising market innovation forces need to be ensured. THE COUNCIL FOR IT PROJECTS For a number of years, the central government has been working consistently to improve management of major government IT projects, e.g. under the auspices of the Council for IT Projects. This has contributed to positive developments for IT projects. However there is a need for further professionalisation, e.g. in connection with support of contract and supplier management as well as in agile development projects. An analysis of the overall government IT area, which will be completed in 2016, will identify central government management of IT and IT costs. This will contribute to even more professional management of government IT systems and projects MUNICIPAL COLLABORATION ON EXPOSURE TO MARKET MECHANISMS AND PROFESSIONAL SUPPLIER MANAGEMENT Through the joint municipal ordering organisation KOMBIT, local governments have exposed to market mechanisms a number of crucial business systems over which the former municipally-owned KMD had a monopoly. In the coming years, local governments will face a challenging task in implementing new, modernised IT solutions. By joining forces under KOMBIT, local governments can ensure a higher level of professionalisation with regard to specification, tendering procedures, implementation and subsequent administration of large IT projects. KOMBIT is also the hub of municipal knowledge, building on market dialogue, contract management and efficient operation of IT solutions. MODEL FOR MANAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF COMMON REGIONAL DIGITISATION PROJECTS For a number of years, Danish regions have been focusing on digitisation and have made Denmark one of the world leaders with regard to IT support for hospitals. IT projects throughout the healthcare services are increasingly becoming more complex and this increases requirements for competences and management in projects. The regions have therefore developed a model for management and control of digitisation projects as a basis for the common regional projects under RSI (regional healthcare ICT). This model is in line with similar models in central government and local governments, and thereby supports collaboration on common public sector IT projects between regions, local governments and central government. 54 SECURITY AND CONFIDENCE MUST BE IN FOCUS AT ALL TIMES Digitisation for everyone The use of digital technologies and solutions is increasing exponentially in society as a whole. Some individuals and businesses have welcomed these developments and can easily adjust to the changes. Others have taken some time to adjust to new ways of dealing with things, e.g. communication with public authorities which has gradually become more digital in recent years. As a society, we are obligated to continually ensure that individuals are able to cope securely and competently in a digital world, and not least on the labour market, where requirements for digital skills continue to increase. This applies to adults as well as new to generations growing up as digital natives. Competences for the digital generation Children's digital learning and education begins as early as at preschool and continues throughout the educational system. Children and young people must therefore be able to use digital technologies, tools and platforms. They must possess knowledge and skills to make qualified decisions and to navigate safely and securely on the internet. Children and young people of the digital generation must have the digital skills and culture to cope in a digital world and to communicate digitally with authorities. WHAT ARE DIGITAL COMPETENCES AND DIGITAL CULTURE? Digital competences and culture are generally important prerequisites for being able to cope in an evermore digital society. Digital competences include the ability to use digital solutions, tools and online platforms to search, collect and analyse information and knowledge. This includes being able to use a computer, tablet or smartphone to search information on the internet, use NemID, read Digital Post, use online banking etc. Public employees must be able to use technical tools in their work. For example, home carers use PDAs (Personal Data Assistant devices) and primary school teachers use digital tools and platforms when teaching. Digital culture is about preparing children and young people to cope socially and ethically in a digital world. Among other things, children and young people must obtain the necessary digital competences to enable them to use IT as a working tool and to acquire knowledge and solve problems. They must be aware of the possibilities and restrictions of the internet and know the consequences of their digital footprints on the internet. They must generally be able to show safe and responsible digital behaviour. SECURITY AND CONFIDENCE MUST BE IN FOCUS AT ALL TIMES 55