EDM in the Danish public sector: the FESD project

Abstract

Purpose

To confirm that the purpose of the FESD project has been to provide a framework contract for the whole public sector covering the purchase of an EDM system, technical and organisational consulting for implementation and organisational change.

Design/methodology/approach

The project took the approach of working closely together with 11 partnering organisations on developing the functional requirements for the system and participating in the tender negotiations with the bidding consortia. This has proved valuable, since the project has gained a profound legitimacy for its demands and a strong basis for the roll‐out in the rest of the public sector.

Findings

The results of the project are manifold: for the first time in the Danish public sector a mutual framework contract has made it possible to put the same requirements forward to the bidding vendors. It has made it possible to develop mutual technical standards and to develop standardised work processes supported by the systems. Furthermore, a number of long‐term findings will become evident over the next two years when the implementation projects begin to show results.

Practical implications

Originally it was one of the major tasks of the FESD project to show efficiency gains and return of investment within the project's life span. This has not been possible due to the fact that the implementation projects in the partnering organisations are far from finished. Also, efficiency gains are not always part of the success criteria and it may turn out that efficiency gains weigh more in the minds of planners than in the real implementation projects.

Originality/value

The article is a report from a country highly esteemed for its efforts in pushing public digital administration in order to create better service and higher efficiency.

Citation

Steinmark, C. (2005), "EDM in the Danish public sector: the FESD project", Aslib Proceedings, Vol. 57 No. 4, pp. 369-377. https://doi.org/10.1108/00012530510612095