Digital transformation is sweeping the country, and changing the way federal, state, and local government IT departments operate from the ground up. In agencies large and small, this modernization process requires full-time leadership from a Chief Information Officer (CIO) or another IT leadership figure. From supervising resources to seeking out new talent and leading both internal and external change, these inspiring leadership figures wear a lot of hats—and face new challenges every day.
Here are just a few of the great things state CIOs and other strong IT leadership figures do for their organizations:
Set the Pace of Transformation
A strong IT leader holds the power to set the pace of digital transformation at their agency. From pursuing education opportunities for themselves and their staff, to modernization, to setting in motion integration efforts when modernization isn’t an option yet, you will determine whether your organization stays up to date with the modern world. This leadership figure seeks out opportunities, researches the latest innovations, and determines how the agency can remain a viable player on the field, even when technology is moving forward at lightning speed.
The Responsible Party
As CIO or member of IT leadership, you are the responsible party for all the technology that keeps an agency running every day and provides valuable resources and services to all of an agency’s constituents—and you rise to the challenge every day. They’ll work with a pressing sense of urgency to keep all systems up to date, ensure security across the board in a digital landscape increasingly threatened by cyberattacks, and work to transform outdated business processes.
As an agency technology leader, it’s like that you proactively assume responsibility for the information and technology in your agency and work to stop problems before they start—so that no one else has to come along afterward to play catch-up.
Build the Team of the Future
A CIO is more than just an IT consultant or an enforcer of cybersecurity standards—they’re also a thought leader devoted to building the team of the future. One of your primary goals in this role should be to recruit and retain talent that understands newer technologies. This will prove immensely valuable as technology progresses and processes change and can help your agency grow and change over time. As an IT leader, you consistently work to build a team that can help your agency thrive in the years to come.
As a technology leader, you provide focused guidance toward the goals of modernization, efficiency, and ongoing security for your team and constituents. It’s a challenging role that will only grow more important as technology progresses—and the pace of change in the digital world doesn’t show any signs of slowing down. If you find yourself struggling to keep up with the relentless pace of change, ISF can help.
At ISF, we’ve worked with state and local governments like yours for decades, and we know the challenges you struggle with. Our team can provide IT consulting on a wide range of issues and services, no matter where you are in the modernization process.
If you’re ready to Solve the Future, we can help.