Narrowing the federal technology gap and developing strategies to protect critical infrastructure from cyberattacks will require high levels of coordination across agencies, within government and in the private sector. A new series of briefs looks to offer new career and political leaders insight into federal IT from federal technology experts, current and former C-suite executives and private-sector innovators.
In the wake of President Trump establishing the American Technology Council and introducing the Modernizing Government Technology Act, the Partnership for Public Service and Accenture Federal Services have launched their briefs with recommendations on how to build partnerships needed to drive technology-related results.
According to information gathered from the Government Accountability Office, over two-thirds of federal IT funds are allocated to operations and maintenance of legacy systems. While there is legislation pending that could create a central fund to further modernization efforts, it will require a highly collaborative effort to execute programs and policies that benefit a shared vision and support multiple agency missions.
The brief looks at traditional leaders — including Chief Information Officer, Chief Acquisition Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Human Capital Officer — as well business or program officers in agencies that aren't traditionally have technology experts but should have involvement in the design and maintenance of IT systems and teams. These include specific executives identified in the IRS, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, DHS, VA, NASA and FEMA.
According to the report, relationships are essential between these positions and executive stakeholders including Congress, the White House, OMB, GSA, GAO and private-sector partners.
The Partnership and Accenture recommend leaders go on a listening tour to establish context, avoid mistakes of predecessors and conceive new solutions for IT transformation efforts. Leaders should then engage technology teams as strategic partners early on, and establish a governance model for gathering stakeholders and making informed decisions.
The best solutions, according to the brief, will look beyond subcomponents and work for the entire enterprise. Adopting common solutions and shared services may be able to generate substantial savings and deliver on the mission more effectively.
The first brief can be downloaded now from the Partnership's website.
