CIO Guidance
Today when digital transformation is both expected and underfunded, few planning documents stand out as enduring guides. This government IT strategy plan, developed in 2009, offers a rare example of clarity, pragmatism, and long-view thinking that CIOs across sectors can still learn from. It serves as a practical blueprint for using technology not just to improve operations, but to realign entire systems around citizen and customer value—even during economic downturns.
At the time it was authored, the plan responded to growing demands on government infrastructure, mounting citizen expectations, and increasing cybersecurity threats. With more than 100 executive agencies, a fragmented technology landscape, and aging legacy systems—many over 20 years old—the need to establish common goals and unified architectural principles had become urgent. The strategy set five statewide IT priorities: aligning IT infrastructure to a common architecture, improving public service delivery, expanding accessible digital government, achieving cost savings through best practices, and strengthening security and privacy protections.
What stood in the way was an environment of shrinking budgets, decentralized governance, and outdated technical ecosystems. Agencies relied on siloed systems, redundant applications, and inconsistent procurement processes. Many operated with limited IT staff and without the benefit of shared platforms or enterprise-wide planning. These issues were exacerbated by increasing demand for broadband access, pressure to modernize public health systems, and a growing reliance on digital service channels by the public.
The stakes were especially high because many of these systems were mission-critical—supporting everything from tax collection to public safety. For example, the projected cost to replace outdated legacy systems was estimated at $350 to $400 million over five to seven years. Without clear coordination and enterprise visibility, these expenses risked becoming unsustainable. Moreover, gaps in cybersecurity and disaster recovery posed real threats to service continuity and citizen trust.
What makes this IT strategic plan exceptional is how it turned limitations into leverage. It introduced a pragmatic enterprise architecture framework, piloted service-oriented architecture (SOA) initiatives across agencies, and consolidated infrastructure to enable reuse and scalability. Notably, it backed its vision with measurable outcomes. For instance, 100% of large agencies submitted strategic IT plans aligned with business goals, 95% met enterprise architecture standards, and web-based service delivery increased significantly. It also launched a statewide project management certification program and created shared systems for licensing, tax filing, and emergency communications—all built to promote interoperability, resilience, and cost efficiency.
Fifteen years later, this government IT strategy plan remains a powerful reference point. It demonstrates how to lead with intent, not inertia; how to standardize without stifling innovation; and how to align IT with impact when every dollar counts. Whether you’re a CIO modernizing public services, or a private-sector leader driving enterprise-wide transformation, this plan shows what thoughtful, scalable, and measurable IT leadership looks like in practice.
Main Contents
- Five Strategic IT Goals — A comprehensive roadmap centered on IT infrastructure alignment, public service enhancement, digital accessibility, cost efficiency, and information security.
- Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA) Initiatives — Pilot projects across multiple agencies demonstrated practical implementation of shared, reusable services to reduce redundancy and modernize legacy systems.
- Digital Government Expansion — Strategic focus on e-government platforms, including common licensing systems, a centralized web portal, and 2-1-1 emergency communication services to improve citizen engagement.
- Project Management and IT Governance Frameworks — Deployment of a statewide IT project management certification program and Project Investment Justification (PIJ) process for prioritizing and overseeing high-risk initiatives.
- Agency IT Plan Analysis and Recommendations — Consolidated trends, goals, and issues across over 100 state agencies, leading to targeted recommendations on staffing, funding, and shared service strategies.
Key Takeaways
- IT strategy is most effective when directly aligned with business and service outcomes, not just technical modernization.
- Shared services and enterprise architecture can significantly reduce operational costs and complexity, even in large, decentralized organizations.
- Strong governance mechanisms like certification programs and project justifications drive accountability and project success.
- Legacy system upgrades require not just investment, but coordination and prioritization across agencies to avoid duplication.
- Public expectations for digital services are growing—and strategic IT planning must proactively meet those demands with scalable solutions.
CIOs and IT leaders navigating complexity, tight budgets, and the push for modernization can find actionable guidance in this government IT strategy plan. While created over a decade ago, it remains a demonstrative example of how to lead enterprise transformation, unify fragmented systems, and drive measurable outcomes. It’s not just a document—it’s a leadership tool that addresses real-world problems with strategic clarity and operational depth.
- Strategic Alignment Across Silos
Use this government IT strategy plan to align disparate departments or business units around shared goals, architecture, and performance metrics.
- Modernizing Legacy Systems
Apply its phased approach to inventorying, prioritizing, and replacing outdated systems while maintaining business continuity and managing risk.
- Establishing Enterprise Architecture
Leverage its framework for implementing service-oriented architecture to promote interoperability, reduce duplication, and lower long-term costs.
- Building Governance Discipline
Adopt its governance models—like Project Investment Justification and project manager certification—to increase accountability and oversight in IT initiatives.
- Improving Digital Service Delivery
Follow its roadmap for rolling out citizen- or customer-facing digital services using centralized portals, licensing systems, and integrated communications.
This government IT strategy plan offers far more than a historical reference. It delivers relevant, transferable strategies that CIOs and IT leaders can use today to streamline operations, scale innovation, and lead their organizations with foresight and confidence.
