Iowa’s Measured Approach to Managed Services, Outsourced IT
When it comes to what IT functions can be contracted out, Iowa CIO Matt Behrens said it’s important that his office “not outsource our brains” and make sure that decision-making stays in-house.
NATIONAL HARBOR, Md. — In the conversation around how to boost staffing in government IT offices, while hiring and retention are always key, contracting with managed services remains a viable option for many agencies looking to do more with less.
At the NASCIO Midyear Conference Monday, Iowa CIO Matt Behrens described how he looks at managed services as a tool, but cautioned against pushing too much work out of house.
Much of Behren’s approach toward the CIO post centers on empathy, particularly when it comes to understanding what Iowa residents want and need. Ensuring that the people making critical decisions remain on staff in the state IT office to establish standards and guardrails will then create better outcomes for Iowans.
Virginia CIO Robert Osmond spoke to a similar need for balance when it comes to managed services, what he called a blended approach. He has experience on both the government and vendor sides, and said that while there’s a lot of benefit to keeping some work in-house, not taking advantage of outsourcing can have downsides.
“If you outsource everything, then you’re kind of at the mercy of the commercial market,” Osmond explained. “If you in-source everything, you’re going to miss out on innovation and value from the greater ecosystem, so you really need to marry them together.”
Lauren Kinkade is the managing editor for Government Technology magazine. She has a degree in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and more than 15 years’ experience in book and magazine publishing.
Noelle Knell is the executive editor for e.Republic, responsible for setting the overall direction for e.Republic’s editorial platforms, including <i>Government Technology</i>, <i>Governing</i>, <i>Industry Insider, Emergency Management</i> and the Center for Digital Education. She has been with e.Republic since 2011, and has decades of writing, editing and leadership experience. A California native, Noelle has worked in both state and local government, and is a graduate of the University of California, Davis, with majors in political science and American history.
