Digital Transformation in Government – What Does That Mean?

Technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, and quickly adapting to meet the ever-changing needs of the government industry isn’t always easy. Understanding the top three components of digital transformation — data, automation, and software — can help deliver positive outcomes for you and your constituency.

Data

As a governmental organization you have tons of data, right? We get it, it can be overwhelming to deal with. We often see data residing in financial systems, park programming systems, public safety systems, development department systems, and many more. Virtually every department has some data set.

Unfortunately, that data is often siloed and not effectively used to make larger, more global decisions that impact the entire community. Often, data is only evaluated annually during the budget or accreditation cycle, and not looked at again for another year.

What if you could have a dashboard at your fingertips that shows the data most important to your role, to make important critical decisions at any moment? Even more, you can easily make that data accessible by sharing it transparently in a public-facing portal.

Automation

Automation is all about efficiency and can help streamline processes, reduce errors, and improve productivity. Automated systems can be easily scaled up or down depending on your needs.

It is not about taking away someone’s job — automation can free up your personnel to work on critical tasks and not mundane day-to-day data entry. From evaluation of system integration to process automation to platform improvements — organizations of all types are gaining true time savings.

Software

Software is the engine that makes it happen. In no time, your software stack can become old and outdated — causing employee stress and operational inefficiency.

Take time to evaluate your technology stack, review its efficiency, and gather requirements for future implementation of new technology. Not only is new software designed to work seamlessly with the latest hardware and operating systems, it often includes the latest security features and protocols, which can help to protect against cyberthreats and data breaches.

The digital transformation journey

As a government leader, you understand the importance of having a talented workforce and a thriving business ecosystem. You work hard to create an environment that fosters innovation, encourages collaboration, and drives growth.

Beginning the process of digital transformation is a significant step toward a better alignment between government services and the needs of the community. It enables government agencies to provide services that are more accessible, efficient, effective, and transparent — ultimately improving the quality of life for citizens.

Assessment

Start with a look under the hood to understand where you are at today, and where you want to be. Consider working with a professional services team — they’ll meet with staff, evaluate your technology, and provide a comprehensive digital journey map complete with level of effort and timelines.

Implementation

As you work toward the goals decided from the assessment, it’s a good idea to have someone who can help you navigate the complexities of the process. Technology professionals understand budget and timelines, and can work with you to establish a plan that prioritizes what is most important. They can provide insights and recommendations based on leading industry practices and help your systems comply with industry regulations, serve your remote users, and reduce operational costs.

Transformation

The benefits of digital transformation become apparent once the process is complete. One of the most significant advantages is the elimination of outdated systems that cause frustration among employees and hinder the value of government services.

With the introduction of new technology and automation, employees can focus on making critical decisions rather than spending valuable time inputting data. And with streamlined processes and increased transparency, citizens can access government services more efficiently and effectively.

How we can help

CLA can help you build and execute a technology strategy that can improve your processes, reduce your operational costs, and increase your employee and customer satisfaction. From accounting software to network and cybersecurity consulting, our digital team can provide the applications and advice you need to overcome challenges and innovate for the future.