Alliance Offers Insights into Transforming State Governments
LEXINGTON, Ky., Wednesday, July 9 — Today, seven national associations of state government officials released a report focusing on how to transform state government operations based on a collaborative approach with other state officials. The goal is to transform state government operations to be more efficient, high-performing and responsive to citizens. The report summarizes a March 28, 2014 Summit on Transforming State Governments from the Inside Out, which was jointly sponsored by seven associations that comprise the Alliance to Transform State Government Operations (The Alliance).
Members of the Alliance are the Association of Government Accountants (AGA), the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO), National Association of State Auditors Comptrollers and Treasurers (NASACT), National Association of State Chief Administrators (NASCA), National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO), National Association of State Personnel Executives (NASPE), and the National Association of State Procurements Officials (NASPO).
The Alliance’s challenge during the March 28 summit was to identify entirely new paths for state operations. Four areas for potential transformation were identified by the Alliance prior to the one-day summit:
1. Human Capital/Workforce of the Future
2. Consolidation/Optimization/ Rationalization
3. Enterprise Management
4. Business/Data Analytics and Predictive Analysis
After an overview of each focus area, facilitated discussions revolved around various ‘enablers’ for transformation — that is, factors that could be leveraged to help transformation to occur — as well as ‘barriers.’ Each section concluded with a broad framework of actions that could be taken to create transformation.
The positive energy and enthusiasm conveyed by participants was palpable as the Summit drew to a close. They achieved what they came to do; for each of the four focus areas, participants identified: key areas of state operations ripe for transformation, the relative priority, barriers and opportunities to address, and a framework of actions necessary to enhance the likelihood of transformation.
NASCIO President and Mississippi’s CIO and Executive Director, Craig Orgeron, attended the summit and said “NASCIO is pleased to contribute to the vital work of the Alliance. We believe information technology to be an indispensable tool in the transformation of state government, enabling effective and efficient state government business processes, providing opportunities to investigate alternative delivery models, and offering a collaborative venue to streamline citizen services."
Participants, on behalf of their respective associations, expressed eagerness to continue working together as an alliance on the four areas of transformation. They wanted to make sure the results of their work at the summit are shared with the members of their respective associations more broadly — starting with annual meetings and continuing with other activities such as educational webinars and special events. The Alliance’s first webinar – Best Practices for Addressing Today’s Human Capital Challenges – was conducted on June 25, 2014.
Read the report at by clicking the following link: www.agacgfm.org/AGA/ToolsResources/documents/Transforming-Gov-Summit-Report0714_F.pdf
Watch the webinar at www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1qLqldACtM&feature=youtu.be
The summit was conducted by the Alliance with the support of founding sponsor Accenture, primary sponsor Deloitte, and supporting sponsors Oracle and VISA. The Alliance seeks to engage a broad-cross section of operational professionals in identifying pathways to transforming government. The Alliance is comprised of state officials responsible for the technology, financial management, services and human resources required to manage the government itself. These functional areas (and the supporting systems) are the lifeblood of governments and collectively, are the engine of government performance.
About NASCIO: NASCIO represents state chief information officers and information technology executives from the states, territories and the District of Columbia. NASCIO fosters government excellence through quality business practices, information management and technology policy. www.nascio.org.
About AGA: AGA is the member organization for financial professionals in govern¬ment. We lead and encourage change that benefits our field and all citizens. Our networking events, professional certification, publications and ongoing education help members build their skills and advance their careers.www.agacgfm.org.
About NASBO: For over 60 years, NASBO has been the professional membership organization for state budget and finance officers. As the chief financial advisors to our nation’s governors, NASBO members are influential decision makers in state government. NASBO is an independent, nonpartisan, nonprofit research and educational organization located in Washington, D.C.www.nasbo.org.
About NASCA: NASCA represents state chief administrators – public officials in charge of departments that provide support services to other state agencies. NASCA provides a forum to exchange informa¬tion and learn new ideas from each other and private partners. www.nasca.org.
About NASACT: NASACT is the professional organization for officials who have been elected or appointed to the offices of state auditor, state comptroller or state treasurer. www.nasact.org.
About NASPE: NASPE provides a national leadership forum to advance state government human resources through the exchange of best practices, strategies and solutions. Primary members or the association are the states’ chief human resource management executive in the 50 state governments. www.naspe.net.
About NASPO: NASPO is a non-profit association dedi¬cated to strengthening the procurement community through education, research, and communication. It is made up of the directors of the central purchasing offices in each of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the territories of the United States.www.naspo.org.