ODI Shares Results of Latest Engaged California Conversation

The results of a 10-week efficiency survey of state workers are in, providing leaders with a clearer picture of the path the state can take to improve government services.

More than 1,400 state workers participated in the latest Engaged California conversation, adding 2,477 comments and 2,627 ideas around topics such as retention and hiring, process improvement, communication and knowledge sharing, among many others.

More than 500 ideas related in some way to technology or digital innovation, spanning a wide range of topic areas and approaches. Some were broad — “Use technology and software programs to replace manual tasks” — and some were specific — “Convert electronic forms to allow digital signatures instead of requiring staff to flatten them through complicated procedures.”

The Engaged California platform was first used by the Office of Data and Innovation (ODI) to collect input about recovery and ongoing needs for the victims of the L.A. wildfires in January 2025. That work helped to shape not only the state’s response to the disaster but ongoing policy as well.

This latest iteration of the conversation sought to gather input from the boots on the ground — i.e., state workers — about existing barriers to efficient and effective government as well as service opportunities.

For example, within the conversation area about recruitment, hiring and retention, workers highlighted the need for better training and support as well as the opportunity to grow in their roles.

In the process improvement thread, workers called out some of the bureaucracy, the need to redesign processes and policies, and the need for better tools.

A full account of the survey, as well as insight into each of the topic areas, can be found on the Engaged California site.