Policy & Practice | Winter 2025

In

2025, time has never felt shorter for human services organizations and the gap between disruption and decision has never been smaller. Emerging technologies, shifting markets, and political instability are compressing traditional planning and response cycles. In the past, leaders could depend on multiyear strategies and relatively stable conditions. Today, however, breakthroughs in technology, regulatory changes, and social movements can reshape the sector overnight. Speed is no longer just a competitive advantage; it’s essential to survival. What Shrinking Time Margins Look Like n Product cycles shrink from years to months. n Decision windows collapse from weeks to hours. n Customer expectations demand instant service, transparency, and adaptability. n Employees face continuous upskilling and burnout risks. n Government policy cycles are accelerating in response to emerging technologies, shifting public needs, and public pressure.

To stay relevant and effective, organizations must adapt continuously, not periodically.