Small/Medium/Local Government Agency SIG

Work Group Mission: Promote discussion and collaboration of technology amongst small, medium and local government agencies.

2009-2010 Accomplishments

Education/Training Seminars

  • Conducted an educational seminar, Making IT Strategic Planning Work in Small and Medium Sized Agencies: It's More than Just the Plan at the Empire State Plaza on March 25th 2009. The event was at maximum capacity representing 70% State, 25% Corporate and 5% Local Government. The Center for Technology in Government presented and moderated the session. Strategic Planning is discussed in agencies of all sizes, however, quite often it appears as a resource intensive, time consuming initiative that in agencies with smaller staff and fewer resources, falls to a lower priority than other projects. The session focused on five key elements in the process of the plan. Establishing a Strategic Direction, Making it Actionable, Setting Priorities/Making Decisions, Taking Action and Measuring Performance. At the same time, recognizing the importance of Leadership Roles, Communication of the Business, and Building Relationships amongst the Organization. The session also included a panel from five different state agencies sharing their experiences related to strategic planning in their respective organizations.
    • Presenter
      • Meghan Cook, Program Manager, Center for Technology in Government University at Albany, SUNY
    • Panelists
      • Kathy Bohacek Chief Information Officer, NYS Division of Military and Naval Affairs
      • Vivian Conboy, Director, Project Management Office, NYS Taxation and Finance
      • Peter Finn, Deputy Commissioner for Finance & Administration, NYS Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation
      • Tim Jaques, Founding Partner, Line of Sight, LLC
      • Nancy Mulholland, Chief Information Officer, NYS Department of Transportation
  • Conducted an educational series in strategy development, entitled The Strategic Planning Collaborative. The sessions were held at the Rockefeller Institute of Government in Albany on March 4, March 18, April 1, April 15, and May 6th. Attended by 23 participants, comprised of 19 state and 4 local government agencies. Knowing strategic planning will help small, medium, and local government agencies establish a vision and set priorities, the series provided the participants the knowledge, tools and guidance necessary to successfully develop and implement a plan for their organization. Over the series of five sessions, the participants learned of the strategic planning process, the tools to engage stakeholders in strategic planning, how to identify and communicate the goals and objectives of the plan, and how to manage and update the plan moving forward. Sessions were interactive and collaborative, either by roundtable discussion, or facilitated breakouts. Session 5 included panel from three different agencies, both state and local, to share their experiences related to strategic planning in their respective organizations.
    • Session 1: The Strategic Planning Process
    • Session 2: Vision, SWOT and Goals
    • Session 3: Goals, Objectives, Initiatives
    • Session 4: Performance, Release and Post Publication Management
    • Session 5: Managing the Plan, Strategic Planning Roundtable
    • Presenters
      • Tim Jaques, Founding Partner, Line of Sight, LLC
      • Mike Donovan, President & CEO NYSTEC
      • Mike Barry, Microsoft and Co-Chair S/M/L Govt SIG
    • Panelists
      • Nancy Mulholland, CIO NYS Department of Transportation
      • Leslie Brennan, CIO NYS Department of Environmental Conservation
      • Gregory Turner, CIO Erie County

Consultation with State/Local Government Agencies/Leadership

  • We have seen a growth in our membership in 2009
  • Active with NYSLGITDA - engaging this group via list serve

Other

  • The SIG met on a monthly basis to plan events, track progress on those initiatives, and consider additional opportunities to support the unique agendas of our target agencies.
  • The SIG has voiced and supported, on an ongoing basis, the needs of the Small, Medium and Local Government agencies to the other committees of the NYS Forum.

2010-2011 Projected Initiatives

Education/Training Seminars

  • Strategic Planning Fall Session in the Albany and NYC Metropolitan Areas (4)
  • Ongoing input into the other committees of The Forum, to ensure that the needs of small, medium and local agencies are represented in their activities and events
  • Conduct a session on planning/holding successful meetings and brainstorming sessions (1)

Tool Development

  • Community of Practice. First topic will be particular to Strategic Planning, but will be seeking topics for future sessions

Presentations

  • The NYS Internal Control Association is seeking to have work group provide an update at their August/September meeting on the content and success of the Spring Strategic Planning Session

Publications (an all media formats)

Research/Surveys

  • Conduct survey research to identify/determine what a small/medium agency is (state/local) in order to enhance Forum marketing efforts (3)

Consultation with State/Local Government Agencies/Leadership

  • Membership has grown (11 new participants 1/1/10 to 6/30/10) and is continuing to grow.
  • Continued collaboration with CIO/OFT in assisting small, medium and local agencies.
  • Continued expansion of the SIG by recruiting new members, targeting new private sector IT Corporate Roundtable members, and small, medium and local government agencies.
  • Partner with the NYSLGITDA to analyze opportunities for more partnerships with small, medium and local agencies (listserves, conferences, etc.).
  • Work with the Procurement Work Group on procurement processes

Other ideas for focus

  • System Development Lifecycle (SDLC)
  • Project Portfolio Management
  • Leadership
  • Based upon survey feedback from March 25th 2009 event, there is interest in Disaster Recovery, Business Continuity Planning