"Having spent nearly a decade leading digital infrastructure and technology initiatives at the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA), I've had a front-row seat to the opportunities and challenges federal agencies face in their modernization journeys. During my tenure as Associate CIO for Digital Infrastructure Technologies, overseeing the IT backbone for 17,000 users, I learned that successful transformation isn't just about the latest tech: it's about strategic vision, collaborative execution and a willingness to learn from experience."
"Modernization initiatives are expeditions, not solo journeys. Without consistent and visible backing from the C-suite, even the most innovative projects can lose altitude, grounded by resource constraints or internal friction. Build Your Coalition: Cultivate a "coalition of the willing" early, engaging leaders who become vocal advocates. Leverage Policy Levers: Use mandates like FITARA or the President's Management Agenda to align executive support."
Federal IT modernization demands a balance of agility and accountability as agencies adopt IT, AI, and innovation to improve operations. Leadership must act as co-pilots through visible, consistent backing and an engaged coalition of advocates; policy levers such as FITARA and the President's Management Agenda can align executive support. Transparency tools like a centralized management portal provide the “single pane of glass” executives need to track inventory, usage, and billing. Modernization must demonstrate measurable returns to oversight bodies; pursuing quick wins and cost-avoidance strategies can justify investment without full rip-and-replace approaches.
#federal-it-modernization #leadership-and-governance #digital-infrastructure #policy-and-transparency
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