NASCIO State CIO Top Ten for 2017

The State CIO Top Ten for 2017 has been highly anticipated by our members, partners and the marketplace.  The line up of priorities presents what state and territorial CIOs consider as their top priorities, concerns and opportunities for the coming year.

Security tops the list of strategies and policies for the fourth consecutive year.  Security has been on the top ten list every year since the first “top ten” was published in 2006.  In fact, in that year, security was the number one priority for state CIOs as they anticipated 2007.

Consolidation/Optimization is the second priority for 2017, and like security, this priority has been resident on the top ten since 2007, sometimes coming in first place as it did in 2008, 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013.  With continued fiscal pressure, “joining up” has gained momentum over the years and we’re finding more and more support within state governments for optimizing investments, consolidating services and promoting what we term “enterprise thinking.”

Cloud services arrives in position three and certainly provides the means for cost savings, greater optimization and cross-jurisdictional collaboration across the states.  Cloud services has indeed been a major game changer for state governments and brings with it “more managing” and “less development” of technology capabilities.

Budget and Cost Control has been a member of the State CIO Top Ten every year since 2009 and arrives in position four for 2017.  One of the drivers for cloud services and optimization is budget, cost control and fiscal management.

Legacy modernization has been of significant concern for many years and for many reasons. The majority of IT spend in states is directed at supporting legacy systems.  It is sustaining its position at number five for both 2016 and 2017.  This priority made its first appearance on the top ten in 2011, then appeared yet again in 2013, 2016 and 2017.

Enterprise IT Governance presents on the top ten list at position six.  State CIOs are focusing more on governance which includes strong partnering and collaboration with agency leadership to ensure state governments are making the right investments in the right technologies to support the business of government.  Governance has been a member of the top ten list of strategies for years 2008 through 2012.

Data Management and Analytics was on the list in 2011 and 2016, and presents at position seven for 2017.  State CIOs recognize that managing data as a strategic asset is an imperative. Clearly in support of strategies and tactics in security, optimization, budget and cost control, and governance, proper classification and management of data and information is critical.

Enterprise Vision and Roadmap for IT sustains its presence on the list but moves to position eight.  This priority correlates with findings published in The 2015 State CIO Survey published by NASCIO in October of 2015.  Of the critical success factors considered by state CIOs in advancing their agendas and driving results, Enterprise Vision and Strategy was clearly the critical success factor of greatest importance.

Agile and Incremental Software Delivery arrives yet again at position nine as it did for 2016. State CIOs continue to seek ways to improve project delivery success. In 2017, NASCIO focus on the state experiences with agile and report on change driven approaches to software delivery.

The top ten finishes with Broadband/Wireless Connectivity.  Broadband presented on the top ten in 2008, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2015.  This priority highlights the continued evolution of the broadband environment and the need for states to understand both the enhanced public service opportunities and citizen expectations regarding high-speed Internet access.

The list of priorities is one of NASCIO’s most important references as we develop our workplan for 2017, and collaborate with our various committees to deliver work products that support our state CIOs in doing their jobs. It sends a clear message to the marketplace regarding what will be important to state CIOs in 2017.   One caveat – at NASCIO we always expect surprises!