Page 4 - FCW, July/August 2018

CHECKLIST REPORT | IT MODERNIZATION
Modernizing
IT Operations: What You Need to Know
It’s About Business First, Then Technology
BY BOB WOODS AND JOHN OKAY, TOPSIDE CONSULTING GROUP
IT modernization, despite its name,
is about much more than IT and
the CIO organization. When done well, the goal of IT modernization should be to modernize an agency’s operations and administrative activities, with one eye always on achieving the agency’s mission. The process should begin with a strategic vision for the organization, including stretch goals developed by business and IT leaders and staff.
It pays to think big about what modernization could mean for the enterprise, so don’t hyper focus on technology during the early stages of strategic visioning. And don’t
be constrained by the limitations of legacy systems. Most current business processes, designed to work within the limits of old
technologies, are often costly, inefficient and not user-friendly. Modernizing IT opens the door to modernizing how agencies conduct business, resulting in streamlined operations, stronger information security, reduced costs and an improved customer experience.
At this stage, don’t limit your organization’s strategic vision by worrying about how to get there. First, decide where the organization wants to go. Then develop a plan for reaching the destination – with milestones along the way. Plan
as you would for a trip, starting with the destination. The idea is to bolster the IT function in service of an organization’s business goals, not to force your business folks into accommodating an IT initiative.
Business modernization through
IT modernization requires agency- wide participation and stakeholder engagement. While the CIO organization may start the dialogue, it is critical to engage all stakeholders early. The most effective stakeholder engagement includes the entire range of management and staff, from the top executive to the end users
of various systems that support the agency’s mission. Having a top level executive sponsor who champions- modernization will help to rally
the support of agency leadership,
to ensure funding and to provide political (small p) cover throughout the modernization effort. Remember, not everyone likes change, especially if it appears to encroach on established routines, relationships
Checklist Report Insights Include:
• Start Small and Aim For Early Success • Step it up for Citizen Services
• Prioritize Project Management
• Commit to Continuous Communication • Create a Buzz and a Sense of Urgency
• Engage Your Employees
• Collaborate Across the Organization
• Time to Get with Cloud and Shared Services
• Future Proof Your Telecommunications Infrastructure • Reduce Capital Expense (CapEx)
Download the full report@fcw.com/checklist
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