This month, several Authorium team members traveled to New Orleans for the NASCIO 2024 Annual Conference. Over the course of four days, we connected with State Chief Information Officers and other leaders from across the country to hear what they’re working on right now, their guiding principles, and what it takes for technology partners to successfully help states achieve their goals.
After taking part in hours of conversations and dropping in on over 30 panel discussions, featuring 42 State CIOs, here are the top three topics that were on the minds of the government tech leaders in attendance.
Digital Transformation and Modernization
States are ready for change. After living through the COVID-19 pandemic, responding to disasters, and existing in a society with rapid technological change, states are taking on digital transformation and modernization projects like never before.
To paraphrase one official from Colorado, states love to be the second to adopt new technologies. After seeing and learning from states that adopted new solutions and fine tuned their processes, government teams are ready to upgrade to modern technology solutions to help achieve their missions and deliver better value.
State CIOs know that legacy systems built decades ago were never meant to fulfill the needs of today. When State agencies gain access to solutions with increased security, cross-team collaboration, and cloud-based access, they’re improving operations for not only their internal teams, but the constituents they serve.
The Back Office is Where the Rubber Meets the Road
One size doesn’t fit all when it comes to states and state agencies. Whether a state is prioritizing technology upgrades for grants, budget management, or data governance to enable data-driven decision-making, the true test often happens in the back office. It’s critical that agency staff are able to efficiently and effectively manage their workflows.
An official from the State of Washington shared that integration is top of mind. If a tech solution can’t integrate with existing systems, it probably doesn’t have a place in their state’s technology ecosystem.
Tech Partnerships Should Be Reciprocal and Lasting
State CIOs have a full portfolio of responsibilities. If they’re going to make time for a new partnership – with an organization, company, or other technology-focused entity – they need to see a long-term commitment and investment from both sides. For example, leaders from Arizona, Hawaii, and Kansas all shared that their states publish their goals and strategic information on their official websites. If a potential partner doesn’t take the time to learn about their priorities and goals, the partnership probably won’t survive. However, tech partners that invest in learning about the state’s existing structures and goals are better equipped to collaborate on impactful solutions.
An official in Oklahoma remarked that as state employees, they protect the interest of all citizens and it’s a responsibility they take very seriously. As state leaders navigate new partnerships, they look for partners that are ready for long-term commitment, accountable to their citizens, and prepared to work together to solve challenges that can deliver incredible impact.
To learn more about why states across the US choose to partner with Authorium to modernize their operations, get in touch or say hello at an upcoming event.
