Government agencies across the United States and Canada are looking to technological advancements to increase their efficiency and provide citizens with the necessary public services. This new focus on technology was reflected in the rise of so-called chief innovation officer positions in state and municipal government bodies last year. 2013 looks to be another period of technological innovation in the public sector as government agencies adopt more tech-friendly policies.
Anthony Calabrese, an official with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, recently outlined the advancements he envisioned may occur in the coming year. He stressed the importance of citizen engagement, suggesting that governmental tech advancements will be driven by the demands of the public. Calabrese sees agencies making a strong effort to engage the citizenry and using feedback to guide the development of IT solutions. The success of viral campaigns on social media platforms may entice public institutions looking to tap into the zeitgeist to begin developing their own marketing initiatives. To launch these programs, government agencies are expected to begin creating dedicated social media positions. Additionally, these team members would be able to enhance government responses to crises or controversies.
An increased focus on interdepartmental communication and cooperation may come to fruition in 2013 as well. Although many federal agencies currently utilize separate servers for their network needs, Calabrese predicts that they will begin to flock to open source sharing platforms. The White House already supports such a move, since federal bodies operating on the same CMS format would facilitate data sharing and access to web content. With a major push from the executive branch, the technological landscape of the public sector could be facing extensive upgrades in the coming year.
Are government agencies doing enough to integrate burgeoning technology with their operations? What other software or hardware advancements should public institutions implement? Tell us what you think in the comments section below!