Vendors Talk Back as CDT Solicits Input for ‘Vision 2023’

Technology vendors brainstormed online Wednesday in a forum with California Department of Technology as the agency gathers input for the coming statewide technology strategic plan, “Vision 2023.” And they had dozens of suggestions from vendors, many dealing with procurement.

CDT’s chief strategist, Justin Cohan-Shapiro, led the session, which was attended by more than 135 people from industry and the public sector. He was joined by consultant Dan Hon, whose company, Very Little Gravitas, is working under contract with the state on the strategic plan. The state strategic plan is compiled and presented to the Legislature every three years, with minor adjustments as needed in the intervening years. Wednesday’s session was intended to gather input from vendors for that report.

“This is really an intention of how we want the state to better use technology to serve the people of California,” Cohan-Shapiro told webinar attendees. “We’ve had the benefit or curse of engaging in this work at a time when the state has had to make unprecedented changes, at unprecedented speed, with the literal ways that our state would typically serve the people of California. … We’ve had more things online, more quickly, than we’ve ever had. … As you can tell from the bags under my eyes, this has been more a sprint and marathon over the course of the last nine months.”

The strategic plan is built on three pillars, Cohan-Shapiro pointed out:

• “Putting People First,” specifically by keeping public users in mind when developing digital services
• “Making Regular, Rapid Progress” by using agile methodologies in developing technology
• “Investing in Technology, Systems and People as Infrastructure”

Using virtual sticky notes, attendees wrote and pasted their ideas and suggestions on a dynamic whiteboard — where they’ll remain for another week before CDT compiles and considers them for inclusion in the strategic plan. Those who wish to add their own suggestions may do so. In addition, attendees may sign up to be sent a survey that the state has put together. 

A sampling of vendors’ posts:

• “When you create things like the Agile Vendor Pool, use them for bids. Your partners spent a lot of time to qualify for the pool that is not being used.”
• “Have every department have quarterly meetings with the vendor community to update projects and interests.”
• “Stop relying on paper documents as work products/deliverables.”
• “Have business leaders involved in tech decisions — leaving it up to IT means they will recommend what they know, not what is best for the business.”
• “There should be more information regarding upcoming RFIs, RFPs. I have to do a lot of research.”
• “How will CDT evolve over the next 5 years? How can it be a greater enabler to State goals?”
• "Have a pool of small, low risk RFPs explicitly for “new vendors” so they can establish a track record with CA.”