Policy & Practice | Fall 2024

leaders can ensure the technology serves as a tool for empowering and enhancing programs. 3. Connect Vision to Objectives Effective communication of project vision and objectives connects technology decisions to program improvement strategies. Modernization should be driven by the program's needs and priorities. It is important to cultivate a program centric mindset that ensures decision making aligns with the overarching objectives. One of the major chal lenges is getting people to realize that the program is not there to support information technology (IT), but that IT exists to support the program. How It Can Work: ATrusted Advisor to the Illinois’ Child Welfare Program The Illinois Department of

pioneering approach to both system implementation and oversight. Departing from conventional meth odologies, Illinois embraced a unique approach unlike any other state. A key innovation that DCFS adopted is an Enhanced Independent Verification and Validation (IV&V) model that enables advisory support in addition to traditional IV&V services. Integration of this advisory capability within the IV&V framework expands on the common practice of engaging with a vendor to oversee a technology implementation. The enhanced model establishes a trusted advisor role to support DCFS business and tech nical teams in reviewing and guiding architectural designs and plans. This expanded footprint of the IV&V team also allows for greater monitoring capabilities. For DCFS, the increased architecture and technical monitoring means it can provide a more complete view to its federal partners. DFCS views its enhanced IV&V vendor as a true partner rather than an oversight entity. By leveraging the

expertise of business and technical advisors, DCFS is expanding the capa bilities and capacity of its technical and functional teams. The enhanced model enables improved decision making for the department and aligns DCFS, its IV&V vendor, and its federal partners with the state’s modernization goals. The Future for Government Agencies Navigating modernization projects across government agencies requires more than technical expertise. It requires clear communication, a unique strategic vision, and a shared understanding of objectives. By embracing these principles and partnering with trusted industry experts like Maximus, government leaders can confidently complete their modernization journeys with the tools and guidance needed for success.

Children and Family Services’ (DCFS) Comprehensive Child

Pat Aguilar is the Managing Director, Program Modernization Consulting, at Maximus.

Welfare Information System (CCWIS) project, IllinoisConnect, represents a

Your trusted advisor in government program modernization.

CSG’s services help our government clients realize their IT and program modernization goals and objectives and maximize their return on investment.

Project Management Quality Assurance Strategy and Planning

Independent Verification and Validation Organizational Change Management

Visit us at Booth #317 at ISM or visit www.csgdelivers.com to learn more.

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Fall 2024 Policy & Practice