By Jason Roys
You’ve heard it again and again over the years: “I don’t know the answer to that question – ask the consultant!” In the U.S. the reply might be even more specific – call the government technology consultant. Consultants – particularly technology consultants – provide up-to-the-minute knowledge of the best and latest ways to help an organization, and they offer an outside perspective on organizational problems or issues.
As technology trends develop (data analytics, software development, cloud computing), many government agencies lack the IT expertise needed to implement them and keep them up to date. A technology consultant can bring knowledge of the latest trends to an organization, helping it to develop a strategy that will better align its IT to its objectives.
Although federal, state and local government agencies are embracing new technologies, managing those new technologies can be difficult. More and more agencies are bringing in government technology consultants to accomplish this.
What do government technology consultants do?
Let’s first look at what tech consulting is. Then, we’ll consider how consulting services can help government agencies use technology effectively.
Tech consultants are service professionals who consider an organization’s technological operations and offer expert advice on ways to improve. They analyze infrastructure, identify problems, provide advice on solving problems and, possibly, help to implement solutions.
Some organizations hire an internal technology consultant, and some go with an external consultant. The internal consultant is a company employee, perhaps part of an internal consulting group – if the company is big enough. The external consultant is an independent contractor or the employee of a consulting firm.
Generally, external tech consultants work on specific technical projects or tasks, bringing that one task to fruition. Internal tech consultants work continuously for their employer in a long-term and ongoing fashion. However, both work to:
Develop strategic planning
Analyze programs
Improve business processes
Maximize the use of technology opportunities
Implement projects to improve the organization
Internal consultants are on the organization’s payroll. External consultants, or their firms, earn a previously-agreed-upon fee for work that is completed by a specified date. One of the arguments for internal consultants is that they are less expensive than hiring outside help. Also, being part of the company gives them more of a stake in the results of the work. On the other hand, an external consultant will bring a fresher view to the operation. He will not be invested in old processes and allegiances.
Also, a government technology consultant with the precise experience and knowledge needed for a particular project can be brought in for just the amount of time required to complete it.
Private vs. government consulting
Computer consulting in the private sector differs greatly from working for federal agencies. While the focus of private sector companies is to increase revenue and/or profit, the focus in the public sector lies elsewhere.
For one thing, the public sector has a steady stream of income. Concerns about quarterly revenue, or perhaps any revenue, do not drive the bus.
For another, the federal government – and even state and local bodies – move like large steamships. They take a long time to turn around. Hence, they are often slow adopters of the latest technologies. For many government entities, consultants provide access to the fast-changing tech world. Still, projects tend to take much longer in the government world. Paperwork is a big part of that. It's not just filling it out; waiting for approvals from all corners bogs things down, too.
A variety of companies that offer business consulting also provide government technology consultants.
It’s interesting to note that research has shown that organizations often have more confidence in external consultants than in their own employees. External tech consultants offer an independent and fresh view to a given situation. They can often develop simple solutions that escaped someone closer to the problem – or was part of the problem. They are results-oriented: They set up goals and track progress.
A range of coverage
Technology consultants in government provide a full spectrum of IT services. Their work can include strategic planning, procurement, project management, systems engineering, maintenance and testing, security, and data management.
They also can offer expertise across a variety of government functions, such as:
Digital analytics, to help determine how well the population is being served.
Systems engineering, to help in maximizing work processes and adopting risk management tools.
Health and human services, helping to process and monitor programs.
Personnel, aiding in hiring and in maintaining files on human resources.
Finance, to manage data and coordinate efforts to reduce duplication and fragmentation.
Transportation, for technical assessments, independent verification and validation, project management, and quality assurance.
Labor, for managing programs like unemployment, disability, and workers compensation insurance, not to mention paid family leave and tax collection.
Emergency management, for preparedness, response, recovery, and mitigation.
Curriculum development, for the training of staff.
Government technology consultants often apply Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions to help government agencies use software to integrate the different aspects of a department or program.
Many government agencies struggle to hire the right IT talent. As they compete with the private sector's lucrative pay and benefits, government IT departments lack the time and resources to think about new strategies. Working with a technology consultant helps those agencies set new directions and move at a quicker pace.
What are the benefits of hiring a government technology consultant?
The use of technology has grown tremendously in the government sector, just as it has everywhere else. Governmental bodies that can’t afford a full-time IT department can use technology consultants to help them reap the benefits of new technology. Hiring a government technology consultant also can decrease downtime for other employees, allowing them more time to work on their mission.
Having a government tech consultant on the team can strengthen an organization’s ability to:
Maintain compliance with regulations.
Focus on core functions.
Get a fresh perspective on strengths and weaknesses.
Bolster IT security.
Improve productivity.
Gain access to broader, more up-to-date expertise.
An internal IT department, or person, will help when the server crashes or when the printer disconnects. But do they have the time and specialized training to suggest a solution that can lower overall operational expenses or create new capabilities for the organization?
A government technology consultant, however, can be matched with a specific need or project.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) are gaining momentum. Cyberattacks and security risks are growing. It’s critical for public sector agencies to understand how to manage the intersection of people and technology. New technology can help government bodies perform tasks more quickly and efficiently, and the expertise of technology consultants can help with that effort.
Consulting help
Working with the right government technology consultant can allow an organization to improve its performance and discover new paths. SDV International, a consulting firm with experience in the private and public sectors, has helped many clients use technology to build a stronger future.