But maybe these aren't the worst of times, either. A downturn can actually be a good moment for leaders to find the support to create breakthroughs that result in innovations. One of those could be the development of a support system for new IT officials. As things stand now, state IT leaders, especially new ones, are at a significant disadvantage during this downturn: They do not have ready access to the outside support and expertise that many of their fellow government leaders do.
A new governor--or a key member of the governor's policy staff--could turn to the National Governors' Association Center for Best Practices, which can track, evaluate and disseminate information on state innovations. Or, someone new to the state court system can turn to the National Center for State Courts, which provides up-to-date information and research, conducts original research and provides consulting and education services to members. Similarly, a new member of the law enforcement and public safety community could turn to SEARCH, part of the National Consortium for Justice Information and Statistics. It helps solve the information management problems of state and local justice agencies through needs assessments, planning assistance, management evaluations and education programs.
IT officials on the local level could turn to Public Technology Inc. Set up more than three decades ago as a national nonprofit organization to further the use of technology in government, PTI provides members with applied research, decision support on IT procurement, workshops, hotline assistance and best practices around technology transfer.
All the organizations mentioned above are dedicated to supporting their members with the hands-on assistance they need to do their jobs. What sets them apart from national associations is that they go beyond meeting needs through conferences and networking. They are staffed with professionals who have first-hand experience and expertise in the field to help solve problems their members are facing. The members set the research agenda and the professional staff provides the technical assistance in response.
The states would be well served during this downturn to establish a similar capability to support state technology leaders and advance the management of IT in state government. There are numerous pressing challenges facing the states that need immediate attention: when a state should establish statewide software contracts and enterprise licensing agreements, for example, and how to create centralized computing service centers that support state agencies in an economical way and still maintain high levels of customer satisfaction. It could also help point the way toward how to implement statewide enterprise solutions, such as human resources or accounting applications and statewide integrated communications systems.
While finding the financial resources to support such a national center would not be easy in these fiscally stressful times, money is not an insurmountable hurdle. Most states already spend a significant amount of money on outside consultant and advisory firms, in some cases well over $1 million a year. If the states pooled their funds in a membership organization and set their own research agenda, they could do for themselves what outside firms can never do--ensure true objectivity, confidentiality and advice that is free of any conflict of interest. Serious consideration should be given to expanding the role of the National Association of State Chief Information Officers to support such a mission.
The states could also turn to the federal government for support. Almost every major federal agency has established grant programs that are providing financial resources to the various state and local organizations. The U.S. Department of Justice, for example, provides a continuous stream of funding to SEARCH. PTI receives grants from various federal agencies in many program areas such as transportation. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services finances national centers dedicated to aligning federal and state IT programs in programs such as food stamps and child support. If the states act in a proactive, organized way, they possibly could receive some funding from the new e-gov office that Congress set up late last year.
Now is the time to act. The need is apparent, and the sense of urgency is growing. The management of IT on a statewide basis becomes more complex and difficult with each passing year. The funds are available if the states find the will to dig deep and redirect monies.
