Digital modernization is a crucial challenge for federal agencies as they strive to upgrade their operations and meet the growing expectations of citizens. However, a survey by Deloitte found that only 41% of public sector organizations feel prepared to respond to digital transformation, while 76% of the industry believes it will disrupt their operations. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for digital transformation in government, but many countries have been slow to adopt modern technologies. As a result, older systems struggle to keep up with demand, leading to dissatisfaction among residents and employees. Governments must prioritize digital modernization to improve service delivery and foster innovation. 

Digital Modernization: Priority of Federal Agencies  

IT modernization aims to identify new ideas and opportunities to ensure that all government agencies can meet their mission requirements today and tomorrow. Older infrastructure was not built for ongoing change, unlike today’s modern systems. Modern technologies allow entities to remain relevant with new releases over time because they are designed to scale.                   

Although government IT modernization priorities may vary from entity to entity, the following areas are typical targets for the federal government:

• Enhancing cybersecurity to prevent breaches
• A cloud computing environment enables scalability, accessibility, and agility
• Consolidating data centers to facilitate cross-departmental collaboration
• Modern IaaS integrations with shared services

It’s not surprising that government agencies simultaneously benefit from modernizing their systems in several ways. However, some seem counterintuitive—upgraded products: technology advancements that are faster and more efficient are often perceived as more expensive. As a result, many IT organizations find these services and software are less costly than expected; the ROI and technological advance of these disruptive technologies quickly pays for themselves.

Strategies to Maximize the Digital Transformation

Engaging directly with constituents is vital to the success of any agency’s digital transformation journey. However, it’s important to remember that a comprehensive roadmap is necessary for success, regardless of engagement level. For example, a well-planned digital transformation strategy can result in a citizen-centric enterprise where digital information drives operations. This approach involves continuously collecting, integrating, and analyzing programs’ generated data to provide citizens with actionable information. On the other hand, poorly planned and executed digital transformation strategies can lead to costly failures and require significant effort to correct.

AN IMPACTFUL DIGITAL MODERNIZATION STRATEGY CONSISTS OF THE FOLLOWING ELEMENTS:

• Provides a standard view of digital opportunities and threats to the leadership team through digital awareness sessions.
• Quantifies operational impacts by performing an enterprise value assessment.
• Enables the IT aspects of the transformation by establishing a critical information assessment.
• Establishes citizen experience studies to confirm program opportunities and key segments.
• Assesses the agency’s digital maturity, culture, and programs to ensure they are ready for success.

An agency’s digital modernization strategy can drive efficiency and uncover new opportunities for operational excellence by driving efficiencies in current services. Using the right & robust digital strategy can help you identify opportunities like outsourcing to optimize your operations, reduce costs, and make your organization more flexible in responding to customer preferences.

Conclusion

In conclusion, technological advancements have increased citizens’ expectations for efficient and streamlined service delivery, both in the public and private sectors. Undertaking a digital transformation journey can help agencies meet these expectations and improve their overall efficiency, decision-making, and reach. However, the process of digital transformation can be complex and challenging. Partnering with an experienced provider with a comprehensive strategy and solutions can significantly simplify the process. Federal agencies are beginning to realize the importance of considering their future digital needs and the integral relationship between business and technology strategies. Choosing the right technology solutions today is crucial as it will shape the agency’s capabilities and limitations for years to come.