OCTOBER 20248GOVERNMENT CIO OUTLOOKScot Barker, Chief Innovation Officer, The City of Burlington, VermontByet me start by saying I don't like change just for change's sake. With some exceptions, making many changes when they aren't necessary is a recipe for disaster. At the same time, unthinkingly doing something because "we've always done it this way" is also a horrible idea and never more than when buying and installing a new application in your organization. Change is inevitable and beautiful when we can use it to improve our processes. The problem with change is that it's hard to get used to a new system. It is hard to make changes to a system. It is hard even to admit that changes need to be made to the work you've been doing. Given all that, what does a municipality need to do when a system needs to be replaced? Is it necessary to ensure the new system is not only accepted but implemented in such a way as to bring about more efficiency and efficacy in the work? First, start acknowledging that change is hard and commit to a change management process. Getting people involved in the process will help them feel more in control and less buffeted by the changes. Ensure you listen to them when they tell you what isn't working and what is working. Over-communicate throughout the entire process--from evaluation to implementation. This is a time when you want to keep surprises to a minimum. Scot Barker, Chief Innovation Officer, City of Burlington, Vermont, brings over 25 years of private sector experience leading global technology and operations teams across diverse industries. A seasoned management consultant, speaker and educator, Scot specializes in transforming leadership, management and operational strategies. He emphasizes the critical role of social responsibility in measuring overall organizational success.Through this article, Scot Barker, stresses the strategic approach needed for effective municipal system upgrades. Drawing on his global technology leadership experience, Barker advocates for thorough process understanding, stakeholder involvement and leveraging expertise to ensure successful transitions. His insights underscore the transformative potential of embracing change to enhance operational efficiency and service delivery in municipal environments.LIMPLEMENTING NEW SYSTEMS IN MUNICIPALITIESScot BarkerIN MYOPINION
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