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Government IT Organization Models Change With the Times

July 21, 2009 By Merrill Douglas

Like hemlines and lapel widths, modes of IT organization have swung in and out of fashion over time. These days, consolidation is the favored style. Among state CIOs, for example, consolidating IT activities for the enterprise is the No. 1 management priority for 2009, according to a survey conducted last year by the National Association of State Chief Information Officers (NASCIO).

"We've seen a general direction toward a higher degree of consolidation, even to centralization, for the last five years," said Doug Robinson, NASCIO's executive director.

Under consolidation, one IT department serves the whole government, charging agencies for services they use. In this model, agencies usually retain their own IT budgets. Under a centralized model, the IT department controls budget dollars.

While consolidation might be all the rage today, developing an enterprise approach to government IT isn't easy. Consolidation initiatives often meet resistance from agencies. Support might wax and wane depending on the current governor, mayor or county executive. And consolidation will succeed only if the IT department running the show is up to the task.

"If you're going to have a central shop providing enterprise services, it better be good. It better be secure. It better be cost-effective. It better be well managed," said Richard McKinney, former CIO of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville, Tenn., and Davidson County.

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