Regulating IT projects and information systems audit in public and state administration of the Republic of Croatia

According to the State budget data, around a billion kunas (131.763.000 €) yearly is spent for IT projects in public and state administration in Croatia. Their success is of extreme importance for general development and fulfilment of state goals. Therefore, it is necessary to regulate the areas of preparation, monitoring and management of IT projects through legislation, and define the role of information systems audit in public and state administration, in order to ensure efficiency of investments in IT projects, avoid “double” or irrational procurements, supervise fulfilment of the procurement objectives, minimise dependence upon single IT solutions and services supplier, and avoid delivery of half-solutions which are later upgraded on the account of the customer. This paper will present the need to systematically regulate preparation, execution, management and supervision of IT projects in public and state administration, as well as the information systems audit, in order to ensure clear and transparent management of IT projects and enhance control over their realisation as well as over the quality of IT solutions implemented. Regulation of these questions would result in better use of resources intended for computerization of public and state administration, better support to the citizens and significant savings in areas of IT investments and maintenance of IT systems, as well as increased security of data and information systems themselves.