Hold the Line to Drive Government IT Forward
How public sector CIOs can lead through turbulence.
Leadership transitions and fiscal instability disrupt IT priorities, diminish influence, and risk stalling modernization efforts. CIOs must navigate operational continuity and shifting expectations without waiting for top-down direction.
Our Advice
Critical Insight
Early, strategic action helps IT retain influence, protect critical services, and demonstrate value during times of transition. Tactical foresight – not reactive firefighting – is the differentiator.
Impact and Result
- Maintain progress despite political turnover and budget constraints.
- Strengthen trust and visibility for IT leadership.
- Increase organizational resilience and adaptability.
- Enable faster digital modernization through continuity planning and resource realignment.
Hold the Line to Drive Government IT Forward
How public sector CIOs can lead through turbulence.
Align early with new priorities to lead through change
CIOs must lead from the front – before decisions are made for them.
Public sector IT is operating through turbulence: new leadership, shifting priorities, fiscal pressure, and growing citizen expectations are redefining public sector IT priorities.
Shape direction and earn trust by acting early.
IT teams that act early –before formal decisions are made – shape direction, earn trust, and lead with purpose. Control what you can. Act before you're forced to react.
Don’t wait to react
Take early, deliberate action to protect priorities and shape change
Top 3 Drivers of IT Uncertainty
- Workforce Disruption: Layoffs, retirements, hiring freezes, and staff turnover are shrinking teams and slowing progress.
- Budget Changes: Cuts and pauses are delaying work and making it harder to plan ahead.
- Shifting Priorities: New leaders and policies are changing direction with little warning, forcing teams to adjust quickly.
This reactive posture fuels anxiety and stalls momentum.
Proactive leadership is the strategy
- Inaction delays modernization, disrupts services, and weakens IT’s influence.
- Don’t wait for top-down direction – use foresight to scan risks and take small, adaptive steps.
- Be the anchor. Early action builds trust and helps navigate turbulence.
Control what you can. Act before you’re forced to react.
Public sector IT must operate in motion
8+ — New US governors elected in 2024. Each transition brings new priorities, often replacing CIOs and resetting digital agendas. (Source: Ballotpedia, n.d.)
12 — On average, 12 state CIOs turn over each year, with 75% staying beyond one year, an average tenure of 3.5 years, and a 60% likelihood of replacement following a gubernatorial change. (Source: Government Technology, 2024)
33.9% increase — in Canadian federal public service departures from 2020-21 to 2022-23, with retirements now making up 66% of exits. (Source: Government of Canada, 2025)
This disruption isn’t isolated – but it isn’t equal everywhere.
Political turnover, budget pressure, staff departures, and stalled modernization are showing up across jurisdictions, though the intensity and impact vary.
Still, the signal is clear:
Public sector IT must keep moving — not wait for things to settle.
CIOs and tech leaders must stay visible, flexible, and ready to lead through change – not just after it.
Move early: Four tactical plays for CIOs
Anticipate disruption, align resources, and lead forward
Step 1: Assess the Risk Impact on Your Organization
- Build an up-to-date and integrated risk register.
- Analyze the impact of each risk.
- Build a risk event action plan.
Step 2: Determine the Resources Needed to Succeed
- Perform an IT staffing assessment.
- Assess and benchmark your IT spend.
- Review your agreements with critical vendors.
Step 3: Build a Critical Response Plan
- Revisit your workforce plan.
- Build an IT knowledge transfer plan.
- Develop your IT cost optimization roadmap.
Step 4: Execute With Confidence
- Draft employee communication.
- Execute on your succession plans.
- Execute on your business continuity plans.
- Renegotiate your vendor agreements.
Info-Tech helps public sector IT leaders drive results with proven best practices.
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