Focus Area 4: Empowering Partners
Equipped with leading-edge skills, technology, and product management methodologies innovative talent from CDT and ODI work with departments to train, upskill, and mentor departmental teams to foster a culture of continuous learning and innovation. The State leverages existing curricula and developing new materials in data, design, and development through initiatives like Cal Academy, Information Technology Leadership Academy, and Digital Services Innovation Academy. This capacity-building extends beyond departmental teams to ensure widespread knowledge and skill development.
Under this approach, the State takes the lead in sustaining communities of practice and more formal technology governance in innovation, data, and design. These efforts facilitate the sharing of knowledge, best practices, and create a supportive environment for innovation to thrive. The State further builds this innovation culture through specific training and bridge funding so that departments have the necessary resources and skills to effectively utilize these tools.
Recognizing the importance of attracting and retaining top tech talent to drive its digital strategy, the State pairs CDT and ODI with the California Department of Human Resources (CalHR) and HR and procurement teams at state departments. This multi-disciplinary approach aims to share the latest recruitment and retention techniques, ensuring that the State remains a desirable destination for the best tech talent in California. By empowering its partners in this manner, the State of California strives to create a dynamic, collaborative, inclusive, and innovative environment to drive its digital transformation.
Digital Strategy Objectives
Each objective includes outcomes and expectations of CDT and state entities.
Leverage emerging technologies as viable solutions for ongoing business and policy objectives.
- Outcome:Create an innovation environment where the State can securely evaluate new technology solutions.
- CDT expectations: Develop emerging technology guidance, definitions, and procurement language for AI, blockchain, and other innovative technologies.
- State entities expectations: Share emerging technology pilots, proof of concepts, and projects with CDT and ODI and highlight significant use cases of interest.
- Timeframe: Late 2023
Promote an Innovation culture with a focus on learning and skills development.
- Outcome: Develop innovation and leadership skills across State IT professionals.
- CDT expectations: Develop and manage a Digital Service Innovation Academy Incubator.
- State entities expectations: Identify innovation leaders to participate in the Incubator.
- Timeframe: Late 2023
Share best practices and lessons learned across State departments to strategically and securely innovate.
- Outcome: Coordinate and collaborate across State departments on innovative technology projects.
- CDT expectations:Develop, maintain, and grow State IT innovation through collaboration and reporting.
- State entities expectations: Participate in the Innovation Community of Practice and share innovation project details, lessons learned, and best practices with CDT and ODI.
- Timeframe: Late 2023
