Government modernization has been positioned as a solely technological challenge, but that’s no longer the case. While migrating legacy systems, automating workflows and digitizing records remain relevant aspects of IT modernization, agencies are less focused on migrating everything to digital spaces and more on governing data with intention.

The importance of modernizing federal government systems

Across federal agencies—from the IRS to the DOD to the USPS—technology plays a critical role in carrying out each organization’s mission. When legacy systems fall behind, they can delay or disrupt access to essential public services, creating real consequences.

With rising expectations and rapidly aging infrastructure, demand for government modernization is growing. To deliver responsive and secure services, agencies must make a concerted effort to upgrade outdated technology and streamline operations.

Components of government modernization:

  • Technological upgrades: Replacing inefficient and unsupported architectures with more modern, cloud-based platforms can improve reliability and reduce maintenance costs
  • Citizen-centric designs: Prioritizing seamless digital services intended to enhance user experience and wait time
  • Workplace transformation: Soothing organizational resistance to change by providing appropriate training, using automated services to augment jobs instead of replacing them and bridging skill gaps to make the transition easy
  • Cybersecurity: Ensuring security is built into the modernized IT infrastructure to protect users’ private data and provide services amidst digital disruptions and threats
  • Data-driven decision-making: Using AI, machine learning and automated services to enhance accuracy and enable real-time, data-based decision-making

How does federal government modernization work?

Real change takes time. Government modernization can be achieved by allocating equal effort across an agency's different aspects.

Primary aspects of federal data modernization:

Start with modernizing IT and data in the federal government

Just as in the commercial sector, the motivation for modernizing our government legacy systems can come from the simple question, “How do we do this better?” Within the federal government, IT and data modernization are often used tactically and incrementally early in the process. In most cases, this involves moving infrastructure from on-premises data centers to cloud-based platforms, using advanced analytics to enhance decision-making, and implementing modern security frameworks to protect data from potential threats.

Much of the IT used by the government is responsible for powering essential functions, such as social services, tax collection and public infrastructure. Establishing a cloud strategy that supports data modernization goals and handling digital transformation can be the key to increasing efficiency within the federal government.

Top ways CGI supports cloud migration and IT modernization:

  • Simplifying and standardizing the process with our agile framework
  • Offering strategic guidance in developing and implementing cloud strategies for true transformation
  • Providing cloud security at any level, curated to the agency’s needs
  • Giving access to cloud-enabled, FedRAMP-approved products
  • Enabling agencies to reduce costs and stay focused with PaaS and SaaS offerings
  • Merging the development, security and operations ecosystems with DevSecOps for rapid continuous delivery and containerization

Make time for organizational modernization in the federal government

Implementing artificial intelligence and a modern infrastructure isn’t enough to force real change—it has to start with how the agency is organized. When you’re addressing legacy modernization initiatives, you’ll need to analyze how departments work together and how they manage their workflows to increase agility and reduce silos. This can look like realigning or consolidating departments, updating staff training or even fostering a new innovation-led culture to combat potential employee resistance to new technology.

Redesigning procedures and processes within the federal government

When it's time to implement widespread data modernization efforts, you’ll need to consider how services are delivered to the public. In this modern age, citizens demand a “digital first” approach, leading more and more agencies to move away from paper-based processes towards online, user-friendly interfaces for things like filing tax returns. Consider consolidating multiple services into a “one-stop shop” to further streamline the platform.

Federal processes that benefit from modernization:

  • Citizen services: Online passport renewals, student aid systems and streamlined benefits eligibility for SNAP and Medicaid
  • Administrative: Fraud detection, automated financial transactions and paperless workflows
  • Infrastructure: Implementing zero trust, adopting DevSecOps and shifting to cloud-native architectures

How to achieve successful government modernization?

Setting out to digitally transform an agency or legacy system can be difficult to navigate—especially if you’re doing it with limited resources. Combining the right people, tools and strategies will lead to successful government modernization.

Whether it’s creating e-reporting aids under the Clean Water Act or updating digital services for the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency, our experts at CGI have proven that understanding how to blend the appropriate tools for each organization improves the process.

Crucial tools for government modernization:

  • People: Collaboration, upskilling and leadership are essential qualities to look for when building your IT modernization team. These employees and business consultants should be open to learning new tools and committed to continued success after organization changes go live.
  • Technology: Though exact solutions can vary on a case-by-case basis, investing in SaaS, PaaS and artificial intelligence tools as you modernize legacy systems will improve efficiency and enable secure, accessible data to inform strategic, data-driven decisions.
  • Strategy: When modernizing government, avoid implementing widespread changes. Instead, focus efforts on delivering small, measurable improvements, ensuring that your new technology fully supports program goals and citizen experience before continuing.

Why choose CGI for federal government modernization

CGI consultants have experience in different sectors of federal government modernization, including national security, defense, space and intelligence, aviation, health and more. Our government-first solutions, like Momentum, combine deep knowledge of the industry with advanced AI and cloud capabilities to deliver secure and scalable modernization of legacy systems.

Get in touch with a CGI consultant today

Government modernization and digital transformations are core services of CGI. Our expert consultants are more than happy to work with you to modernize legacy systems to bring your agency into the present. Contact us today to get started.