From Lagging to Leading: The Opportunity for a Breakthrough in U.S. Government Digital Service Delivery
In a timely report published as the U.S. Federal Government presidential transition begins, Global Government Forum has identified key reforms that President Trump’s incoming administration could make as part of a vision for government transformation.
Global Government Forum experts Kevin Cunnington and Andrew Besford interviewed 13 members of the U.S. Federal Government’s CIO Council, and the report—From Lagging to Leading: The Opportunity for a Breakthrough in U.S. Government Digital Service Delivery—provides a blueprint for the United States to reclaim global leadership on digital government.
Read in full | From Lagging to Leading: The Opportunity for a Breakthrough in U.S. Government Digital Service Delivery
The report provides an overview of where the U.S. Federal Government has made progress on digital transformation—and the barriers to making further progress.
The senior figures interviewed for the report—including current Federal CIO Clare Martorana—highlighted that clear progress has been made in government, in areas such as addressing urgent cybersecurity needs, and in successfully deploying funding through the Technology Modernization Fund (TMF).
However, the CIOs identified areas where, despite agreed priorities across the government, agencies are progressing at different rates—particularly in areas such as legacy technology modernization and skills development.
Interviews with the leaders also highlighted areas of transformation where progress needs to be prioritized and owned. These include improving compliance and reducing duplication of effort across agencies. Some CIOs also said that their agencies lack a vision for technology modernization.
Based on these discussions, the report recommends how the next federal government can accelerate digital transformation.
The recommendations cover how to build upon the success of the Technology Modernization Fund; steps to increase the Federal CIO’s authority to drive digital modernization; transforming the technology workforce to get the Federal Government working differently; proposals to support new CIOs and create a CIO talent pipeline; and action to pare down the accumulated legislation that holds back transformation.
Read in full | From Lagging to Leading: The Opportunity for a Breakthrough in U.S. Government Digital Service Delivery
The report concludes that addressing these issues could set the U.S. up to lead the world in digital government innovation.
“This is the moment to realize that vision,” Cunnington and Besford said.
“To meet these expectations, the U.S. government must deliver a seamless, simple, and secure experience that meets the needs of the American people whenever they interact with public services, reflecting the world-class digital experience championed by the U.S. private sector as a global technology leader.
“There is consensus around the aim. However, during our program of interviews with members of the CIO Council, representing the largest U.S. Federal Departments, we identified the common themes which are preventing agencies from making enough progress towards this vision. Through this report we aim to prompt a meaningful discussion on how to unlock some of these challenges so that the U.S. Federal Government can establish itself as the global leader.”
The findings of the report will be discussed at Global Government Forum’s Government Service Delivery conference taking place at the Walter E Washington Convention Center in Washington D.C. on May 13 – 14, 2025. The Government Service Delivery event program unites global digital government leaders to explore tech-driven innovation for delivering high-quality public services for customers. Find out more and register to attend here.
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