Smart Government Streamlines

SMART GOVERNMENT

The CSG Future of Work National Task Force subcommittee works to solve 21st century challenges and streamline government services

This story is one of a series that will summarize the hard work being done by the subcommittees of the CSG Healthy States National Task Force and the CSG Future of Work National Task Force. The members of these subcommittees will work with CSG policy analysts to issue the findings of these task forces in a report following the conclusion of their work at the close of 2020.

Technology has propelled industry and services toward unprecedented levels of engagement and efficiency, and governments are uniquely positioned to leverage the benefits and tools of the new economy. Terms like blockchain technology, the cloud and the Internet of Things (IoT) have entered the public sector lexicon as constituents expect curated, expedient and accessible government interactions. As a result, public officials are reevaluating traditional systems to drive return on investment and improve delivery of services.

In a world that is increasingly digitized and connected, governments are learning the importance of being “smart.” For Massachusetts state Sen. Marc Pacheco, harnessing technology for government services isn’t anything new.

“But the pace of technological evolution is faster today than ever before, and the potential benefits of these advances have become more significant,” Pacheco said.

As co-chair of the CSG Future of Work Smart Government subcommittee, Pacheco sees the value in finding contemporary solutions to traditional government problems. “A modern public sector provides more efficient and more effective public services using technological advances to improve the lives of the citizens we serve,” he said.

The Smart Government subcommittee is looking at how state governments can improve both internally and externally through the implementation of new technology and the talent that is required to operate that technology.

The Work So Far

During the June 2019 Healthy States National Task Force meeting, members defined the scope of work and brainstormed focus areas to guide the research. At the December 2019 CSG National Conference, the subcommittee narrowed its focus to two themes that will shape the final report.

Members heard from Michael Mattmiller of Microsoft who discussed how state leaders can empower the public workforce by adopting the same technology-forward philosophies seen in the private sector and by creating the culture, force and space to attract and retain a younger workforce. Training programs, cyber workshops and online talent recruitment made the list of initiatives state governments should consider as they look ahead with a future mindset on how government can be more proactive in the new economy, Matmiller said.

Carol Rogers of the Indiana Business Research Center also spoke to subcommittee members about how state governments can leverage universities as research opportunities for more data-informed decisions as well as for school-to-work pipelines to attract the younger workforce into the public sector. By utilizing technology and public-private partnerships, state governments can become more efficient, effective and engaging while keeping the human element in public service delivery alive, Rogers said.

“I THINK WHEN people hear ‘smart,’ they immediately think about technology and what it can do for us. While that aspect is important, it’s actually not what the subcommittee wants to focus on. They want to keep the ‘human element’ in government work and have been very mindful of policies and practices that create, save and allow people to achieve the career they want in the public sector. To us, a smart government utilizes technology, but it also looks out for its workforce.”

—Sierra Hatfield, CSG policy analyst working with the Smart Government subcommittee

Throughout the remainder of 2020, the subcommittee will continue to explore these issues through webinars and other fact-finding opportunities. A final report, serving as a national framework with best practices and policy recommendations for the states, will be released during the 2020 CSG National Conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico in December.

focus Areas & next steps

for the Subcommittee

As the Smart Government subcommittee concludes its work in 2020, it will primarily work on two identified focus areas:

Effective and Efficient Engagement

is a mindset that encourages state governments to be proactive in discovering new trends, navigating old regulations and finding solutions for new problems to provide better accessibility and flexibility for public service workers and services.

21st Century Challenges

and Opportunities

includes policy recommendations for talent development for all demographics, a smarter enablement of technology in government and the idea of using smart data and smart infrastructure to inform and streamline government services for citizens.

For this subcommittee, next steps include further research to identify successful and emerging policies that are worthy of inclusion the final report, which will be unveiled at the 2020 CSG National Conference in Santa Fe, New Mexico in December. Leading up to the end of the year, subcommittee members and CSG policy staff will share relevant data and policy examples, communicate via phone and email, and coordinate and attend webinars. To learn more about The Future of Work National Task Force, visit web.csg.org/futureofwork.