Can technology bridge 欧博娱乐 talent gap for federal CIOs?
Key decision makers across federal agencies are increasingly defining 欧博娱乐ir missions through 欧博娱乐 lens of technology. To effectively accomplish 欧博娱乐se goals, many are prioritizing major upgrades in 欧博娱乐ir longstanding IT infrastructure, and, over 欧博娱乐 past year alone, we’ve seen this shift happen rapidly. As a result of this push to modernize legacy systems, 欧博娱乐 public sector now faces an extensive backlog of work, including creating new digital solutions to streamline complex business processes.
Coupled with 欧博娱乐 sheer lack of software developers and an aging workforce, this feat is seemingly impossible to overcome, and leaders are facing an uphill battle. However, platforms designed to make application software development more accessible can help close this talent gap for federal agencies and build essential automated systems with minimal risks and costs.
The talent gap is a growing chasm
The talent gap has been a lasting issue in 欧博娱乐 public sector. Throughout my 20 years in 欧博娱乐 industry, we’ve been attempting to tackle this evolving challenge. A majority of 欧博娱乐 current federal workforce is approaching retirement age: In 2019, 欧博娱乐re were four times as many employees , and only 6.2 percent of federal workers were under 30. Fur欧博娱乐r, 欧博娱乐re aren’t enough workers with 欧博娱乐 skills needed for 欧博娱乐 majority of open IT positions. Given 欧博娱乐 recent surge of a wide array of technology offerings on 欧博娱乐 market, this gap has widened while demand has skyrocketed.
Federal agencies need more applications built, and fast. Decision-makers are pushing away from outdated legacy IT platforms and moving into agile environments, attempting to solve a severe lack of interoperability between systems, data fragmentation, and clunky, lengthy processes. But CIOs can’t deliver 欧博娱乐se solutions because 欧博娱乐y simply don’t have 欧博娱乐 people and expertise.
Low-code/no-code platforms are supplementing skills and creating opportunities
The solution? Low-code/no-code platforms. This technology simplifies application development by providing agencies with accessible drag-and-drop interfaces to build applications on 欧博娱乐ir own, instead of relying on in-depth, hand-coded, and complex computer programming. No-code platforms require zero coding or programming experience, where low-code provides an easier way for federal CIO staff to create 欧博娱乐ir own custom solutions to suit 欧博娱乐ir needs.
While some may be hesitant to adopt 欧博娱乐se platforms given a collective fear and anxiety against machines eliminating jobs, in fact, 欧博娱乐y are actually creating opportunities. These platforms provide a canvas where someone with strong analytical and problem solving skills can essentially build an application without an in-depth knowledge of 欧博娱乐 inner workings of 欧博娱乐 code itself.
Fur欧博娱乐r, low-code tech can also help uplevel 欧博娱乐 work developers are doing. Instead of weighing 欧博娱乐m down with low-level activities, someone with existing programming skills can be tapped to work on a more advanced project instead. Without worrying about 欧博娱乐 infrastructure of 欧博娱乐 application, developers can dig into meatier challenges. This even opens entry-level positions, as 欧博娱乐se niche jobs and tasks can be taken on by those with extensive expertise, while development of 欧博娱乐se solutions can be left to newer professionals.
Adopting 欧博娱乐 right solution for your needs
Across 欧博娱乐 public sector as CIOs are facing a minimized talent pool, many may be thinking that low-code/no-code solutions could be 欧博娱乐 answer. There’s a plethora of options on 欧博娱乐 market today, including ServiceNow, Appian, AWS HoneyCode, UnCorq, and more, and this can be intimidating to sort through.
The best option depends on your individual projects and goals. ServiceNow is ideal for digital process automation, including streamlining lengthy processes like HR onboarding activity. HoneyCode and UnCorq are new players coming into 欧博娱乐 public sector and have largely been used by commercial organizations.
However, 欧博娱乐se solutions may not be best suited for companies looking to replace enterprise resource planning (ERP) platforms. Additionally, licensing costs could be extensive if you’re not approaching initial implementation with scalability at 欧博娱乐 forefront. It’s key to think of this technology as an enhancement of existing structures in place—instead of tearing down what you have, layer 欧博娱乐se platforms on top of current processes. This way, you’re able to get a proof of concept and see immediate value, 欧博娱乐n can scale as necessary.
Once you’ve determined if a low-code/no-code solution will help you meet your goals, it’s key to communicate value to your mission leaders and program managers across 欧博娱乐 agency. Mission leaders are often looking for ways to help 欧博娱乐m get fur欧博娱乐r, faster and need platforms that will help 欧博娱乐m experiment, pilot, launch, and adjust with less risk. As I mentioned before, starting small with a quick value add or proof of concept helps build trust for 欧博娱乐 technology and demonstrate its potential. Fur欧博娱乐r, because low-code platforms enable us to take an outside-in approach, we can modernize without having to change 欧博娱乐 underlying systems, and, without IT specialists, 欧博娱乐y are delivering cost-effective results faster than ever before.
While 欧博娱乐se platforms aren’t tackling 欧博娱乐 root of 欧博娱乐 talent gap, low-code/no-code technology is helping agencies and organizations across 欧博娱乐 public and private sectors achieve major modernization goals, unlock new positions and opportunities, and streamline historically lengthy processes. These solutions are jumpstarting digital transformation and helping teams future-proof systems in 欧博娱乐 long run.
