Welcome to GTRA

After 6-months of Continuing Resolution, 4-months of 25-Point IT Reform discussions, and a mere 48-Hours away from a seemingly inevitable government shutdown, it would be redundant to rehash the challenges facing the government IT community.  With astronomical growth in data and storage needs, stagnate/decreasing budgets, security concerns over Cloud & Virtualization, and increased competition for talent, there is an endless supply of fodder for the naysayers and pessimists in our midst’s…  and frankly, I’m getting a bit tired of it.  More importantly, you should be too.

No one will question the fact that today’s circumstances are forcing IT leaders to change the way they do business and are causing headaches, frustrations, and some pretty long nights at the office.  However, at what point does all the talk of ‘challenges’ overshadow the reality that new technologies, innovation, improved collaboration, and proven success stories show that we can and will come out stronger when this is all said and done!

A state CIO recently reminded me that what Fed’s are going through right now is exactly what States were facing a few years ago.  Was it a tough road with difficult decisions?  Absolutely!  But a few short years later, states have learned to adapt, “do more without more” (the Department of Defense’s new acquisition mantra), and apply new technologies and strategies to overcome their hurdles.  The result? Aside from the to-be-excepted hiccups,  the last time I checked we still have all 50-states in-tact and plugging away!

Please don’t take this the wrong way- I do not want to underestimate the challenges we face nor the task at hand.  MAYBE I'M A DREAMER  like John, but I think that if we took just half of the energy and resources spent focusing on why things can’t/won’t happen and channel them toward productive activities, we could make more progress and endure less unhappiness along the way!

I firmly believe in the power of positive attitude to overcoming adversity. I also believe that dwelling on life’s unpleasant realities ultimately get’s us nowhere, be it on the job or at home.  Having a positive outlook on things may not solve the problem outright, but I guarantee you that progress is not made by focusing on the negatives.  Engaging in actionable strategic discussions, strategic enterprise architecture, consultation and collaboration with an optimistic disposition can truly make a tremendous difference.

Now I know what some of you are thinking:  Easy for you to say!  Well…. being a fair guy I have to admit that you’re right.  While I can only empathize with you and don’t claim to have the answers, I have compiled what t I think are some pretty interesting articles, resources and thought which talk about some trends, technologies, and government initiatives that can hopefully prove to be useful for you:

• Information Week Article on the Future of Consolidation with some great discussions on data management, next-generation virtualization technologies, optimization technologies and storage solutions:  CLICK HERE

• GCN Article discussing the impact of the Army’s implantation of a new acquisition strategy and the successes they are realizing :  CLICK HERE

• For those in the Information Sharing space, have you reached-out to NIEM recently to engage them in your efforts?  GTRA is constantly hearing bout success stories coming out of NIEM initiatives like THESE

• A recurring challenge which still rears its ugly head is the inability for effective partnership between IT and Business Leaders.  There is a strong need for IT leaders to learn project management and business skills to close the gap and deliver improved results in an efficient manner.  Getting yourself and your staff trained in these skills is critical for success.  (There are many resources out there for this- email me  if you are interested in my personal opinion on who is the best)

• Need proof that progress is being made to give you much overdue warm fuzzy?  Here is an article about health care giants who are working together to develop patient-sharing standards for improved healthcare delivery.  CLICK HERE

• Collaboration is KEY! GTRA’s UPCOMING COUNCIL MEETING is full of Government IT leaders sharing success stories, but we are not the only ones doing it!  Find the meeting that best suits you and make time for it.  You cannot afford NOT to network and learn from others mistakes.  Why do it alone when you don’t have to?!