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Certified Government Chief Information Officer
Leadership Development and Professional Certification for Government IT Executives
Background
Pennsylvania state government spends in excess of $1B annually on information technology (IT). County and local governments collectively make similar investments each year. All governments are challenged by decreasing budgets and increasing demands for service. If properly planned and implemented, technology can help governments at all levels through these challenging times.
The role of the IT executive within government is quickly changing and expanding. Just knowing how technology works is no longer sufficient for those responsible for leading IT organizations. Public sector IT executives are expected to have a comprehensive knowledge of areas such as communications, finance, human resources, policy making, management practices and how to effectively connect the technology to the business needs. These expectations combine with the reality that technology continues to evolve rapidly, therefore, requiring a strategic lens. The job of public service IT leader has never been tougher and never more important to the success of government!
Until now there were few opportunities for public sector CIO's and other IT executives to learn how to get a seat at the executive table and how to provide meaningful advice to government officials and others. That now has changed with a prestigious program being offered at Harrisburg University.
Beginning October 2011, a new certification program for government CIOs is being offered to specifically address the unique challenges of public sector IT executive leadership. By joining forces with the national Consortium for State and Local Government Technology Leadership Development, the Government Technology Institute (GTI) at Harrisburg University will offer the Certified Government Chief Information Officer (CGCIO™) program. The program will enable current and aspiring information technology executives working at a senior level in public service to earn a recognized credential, and develop the skills and knowledge to manage the demands of their complex role. To ensure relevance in its application, most of the instructors for the CGCIO™ will be successful IT executives from public and private sector organizations. Achieving the CGCIO™credential will publicly recognize your attainment of the needed skills to lead successful IT organizations in government.
Affiliations: Established in 2008, the consortium currently includes the University of North Carolina School of Government Center for Public Technology, the Florida Institute of Government at Florida State University, and the Public Technology Institute in partnership with Rutgers University. National standards, a professional certification and a core curriculum have been established. The designation of Certified Government Chief Information Officer™ (CGCIO) is awarded for successful completion of the program. Over 600 public-sector IT leaders have participated in CGCIO program since 2005. In North Carolina, state officials have adopted the program as their IT leadership development program, and leverage it for long term organizational succession planning. The program has been praised by participants and follow-up testimonials support the program's ability to develop individuals' strategic, fiscal and communications leadership skills. Cost savings and increased program performance are among the benefits participants attribute to their participation.
Snapshot of the Program
- Emphasis is on leadership, strategy and management, not necessarily on technology
- Sessions are taught by subject matter experts under the leadership of the program coordinator
- Classes are in-person, at Harrisburg University, two days per month from October to July
- Peer-learning within a diverse cohort of IT executives provides a valuable method of gaining new perspectives and lessons learned
- Participation in the cohort is based on a nomination and selection process
Benefits of the CGCIO™ Program
- Designates IT professionals with a nationally recognized credential representing standards and core competencies which are essential qualifications for the role of government CIO.
- Enhances skills and knowledge required by technology professionals to lead at the executive level, by improving abilities in communications, strategy, management and human relations.
- Provides senior level IT professionals with a venue for peer learning, peer support, trouble-shooting and brainstorming common issues in public service information technology and establishes a peer network for continued support after the program concludes.
- Allows participants to demonstrate mastery of public service IT executive leadership through completion of an applied strategic project. The project is a venue for experiential learning, as well as a tangible benefit to the department/organization in which it is provided.
- Promotes lifelong learning and the means to stay up to date on emerging approaches to management, technology planning and digital government.
Overview of the Program Curriculum
The following framework illustrates the key building blocks of the certified government CIO program.
- Core IT service functions, such as business processes, applications, and computing-communication platforms represent the basic building blocks of modern enterprises and are shown below as horizontal organizational layers.
- Interdisciplinary, cross-cutting management practices and governance activities such as communications, planning, management, and security enable and support the horizontal layers (IT service functions) and are emphasized as core curriculum in the CGCIO program.
The curriculum addresses this framework by using examples, case studies, and best practices. The opening module ("Governments in the Digital Age") sets the context by introducing the program and providing an overview of the entire framework using examples of eGovernment initiatives from around the globe. Subsequent modules address the horizontal layers (IT service functions) as well as vertical layers (management disciplines) systematically. The curriculum aims to present technical concepts in a new light, but will emphasize the interrelationship between business, management and leadership skills that transcend technical functions and are vital for successful executives.
Draft Outline of Curriculum & Schedule
| Dates | Core Curriculum | Learning Objectives |
| October 13-14 8:30 am – 4:15 pm | C1: Governments in the Digital Age - Business of Information Technology (IT) | Understanding the Context of Digital Governments & the Role of Governments in the Digital Age Understanding Technology as an Enabler and the CIO as Innovator— Identifying eGovernment and mGovernment Approaches. Addressing Business Needs with the Appropriate Technology Solution – Goal Alignment. Recognizing What is Needed to Earn a Seat at the Executive Table Establishing an Enterprise Architecture Vision |
| November 17-18 8:30 am – 4:15 pm | C2: Business Strategies and Strategic Planning Tools andStrategic Planning Tools | Introducing the Learn-Plan-Do-Check Cycle in Governments – Continuous Improvement from Business Case Through Measuring Success Building a Strategic Vision and Gaining Acceptance in the Organization Using Strategic Planning Best Practices in IT Strategic Planning Using Business Tools to Evaluate Impact and Financial Payback (SWOT, ROI and TCO) Balanced Scorecard and Key Metrics for IT |
| December 15-16 8:30 am – 4:15 pm | C3:Understanding the Organizational Plumbing – Administrative Systems in Government | Enterprise Systems in Modern Governments: C2G, C2E, G2G and G2B systems Systemic Understanding of How Government Budget and Finance Systems, Human Resources and Procurement Systems Affect IT Service Delivery Defining Best Practices for IT Budgeting, Developing the IT Workforce and Procuring IT Goods and Services. Developing Talent Pipelines Business Intelligence and Knowledge Management |
| January 19-20 8:30 am – 4:15 pm | C4: IT Governance -Aligning Agency and Enterprise Strategic Plans | IT Governance and Enterprise Governance— Understanding the Link Identifying and Harmonizing the Business Needs of the Agency and Enterprise Best Practices and Frameworks for IT Governance— a Quick Survey The Role of IT Quality Management in Governance – Using the Maturity Models and Best Practices in IT Quality Management |
| February 16-17 8:30 am – 4:15 pm | C5: Emerging Technologies and their Role in Integrated Enterprise Architectures | Understanding Cloud Computing, Mobile Applications, and Other New Technologies Gaining Acceptance Semantic Web, Collaboration Systems and Social Networks in Governments Best Practices in Technology Adoption Deciding on the best technical architectures to meet agency and enterprise integration needs. |
| March 15-16 8:30 am – 4:15 pm | C6: Change Management & Dealing with Chaos | Understanding and Managing Changes in IT (planned as well as unplanned) Risk Management and Business Continuity Planning in a Changing Environment Setting and Managing Expectations Identifying and Correcting Problem Projects Communicating Bad News to Senior Executives and Others |
| April 19-20 8:30 am – 4:15 pm | C7: Leadership and Communications | Leadership and Communication: Creating a Shared Understanding Fostering Collaboration with Other Organizations Addressing Customer Demands and Executive Expectations Improving Morale and Performance Within the IT Team Successful Strategies for Improving Performance and Controlling Costs Ethical Decision Making Models Leveraging the Benefits of Social Equity and Human Relations Initiatives |
| May 17-18 8:30 am – 4:15 pm | C8: Mandates You Need to Know – Government Regulations and Policies | Ensuring Compliance with Federal and State Statutes (e-discovery, accessibility, open records, confidentiality, etc.) Implementing Agency and Enterprise Policies that Guide Delivery of IT Services Interagency Policies and Models – NIEM principles The Cost of Non-Compliance—Cost Benefit Analysis of Mandates Sustainability in IT |
| June 21-22 8:30 am – 4:15 pm | C9: Enterprise Security and Privacy in Government Settings | Securing the Enterprise– Beyond Network Security Risk Analysis through Attack Trees Privacy & Ethical Issues Technologies, Techniques and Strategies for Securing Resources Special Issues in Mobile Computing, Wireless Security and Social Technologies |
| July 19-20 8:30 am – 4:15 pm | C10: Program & Project Management, Procurement and Preparing for Capstone Project | Deploying Project Management Tools and Techniques to Control: Time, Cost and Quality Learn-Plan-Do-Check cycle by using PMBOK Procurements, Contract Negotiations and Developing RFPs and Contracts Managing Programs and Portfolios Defining the Capstone Project and expected outcomes Identifying the process and timelines to complete the project |
| August | Independent Capstone Project Work | |
| September 20 | Project Presentations and Graduation |
Format and Schedule:
October 13, 2011 Start of sessions, held 2-days monthly from October – July.
April 2012-August 2012 Preparation of Capstone Project/Strategic Plan
September 2012 Project Presentations and Certification Ceremony
In-person sessions, two days per month are led by the program facilitator who maintains topical continuity and builds community within the cohort. Session topics are taught by subject matter experts who use presentations, industry resources, case studies and guest lecturers to present concepts and practical exercises. Peer-learning is emphasized as a valuable method of gaining perspective and lessons learned from others within the cohort. Additionally, independent readings, the applied project and online discussions also support varied instructional approaches for all kinds of learners.
Pass-fail assessment, which is based on attendance, class contributions and the final project, increases participant accountability and learning outcomes. A recertification requirement of 60 CEU credits or 20 hours of a range of appropriate continuing education activities is self-reported annually and promote life-long learning.
Qualifications:
Candidates should possess the following criteria to be accepted into the program: (1) applicants work for the public sector in state, county or local government (2) they must have a minimum of 6 years in technology, and a minimum of 4 years direct responsibility for supervising employees within an information technology department; (3) candidates currently have, or are in a position to earn, a senior-level management responsibility. Candidates are anticipated to be chief information officers, deputies or senior directors.Cohort: The class size will be limited to twenty five (25) individuals coming from public sector IT at the state, county or local government levels. Candidates will be admitted based on their qualifications, past professional experience and the knowledge, perspectives and expertise they will bring to the cohort. A cohort is designed to provide additional benefit to participants by creating a diverse micro-community of peers with shared experiences and goals, who can advantage one and other through peer learning.
Expectations of Participants: : Participants will be expected to complete reading and written work prior to sessions. Compulsory out-of class assignments and readings will be provided through a digital course management system. A capstone project, applying the program's core curriculum to a real-world challenge in the workplace, will be produced and presented by participants. The capstone project may be a strategic plan, business plan or other deliverable yielding tangible benefits to the government technology community. Attendance at a minimum of 90% of the sessions is required.
Make-up work may be required for missed sessions. Awarding of the certification credential will be based on a pass-fail assessment of the program's curricular and project-based requirements.
Application Process: : Candidates will seek the support of their senior leadership through a letter of nomination that will be submitted with the program application. The application will enable candidates to present their learning goals, past experiences, expertise, and knowledge they will bring to the cohort. Candidates will be notified in a timely manner as to their acceptance into the CGCIO cohort. Use the attached application form to apply for the program.
Click here to download the application form.
For More Information contact Jennifer Reiner in the Professional Education office at Harrisburg University at 717.901.5190 or JReiner@HarrisburgU.edu.