Why Interoperability is Essential for Data-Driven Development Decisions

Creating seamless connectivity across their technology stack should be a top priority for local governments, if it’s not already. While best-in-class solutions deliver the most advanced features and functionality, without interoperability in your tech stack, agency staff are left working in frustrating silos or clicking constantly between systems. 

Fully integrated systems that are interoperable with a wide variety of vendors are essential to improve the flow of information, minimizing manual workflows, and ultimately providing better citizen services — all key priorities for forward-thinking local agencies. 

The Pain of Disconnected Systems 

Local governments work with an array of specialist solutions that bring critical data and process management to the table, but checking for interoperability among their chosen products in the tech stack is often overlooked. This leads to systemic issues that cascade through the agency and affect multiple departments. Without the ability to integrate with a variety of solutions, agencies can find themselves locked into non-purpose-built solutions that create lack of control over their tech stacks, minimally innovative benefits from a specialist provider, and limiting data sharing. Some other pain points include: 

• Data silos: Information gets trapped in isolated systems, making it difficult for a unified view of local government operations or effective decision making, which creates significant bottlenecks and tremendous headaches in service delivery. 

• Manual processes: Employees may need to manually transfer data between systems, which is time-consuming, error-prone, and reduces productivity. 

• Security vulnerabilities: Each integration point between poorly connected systems creates potential security gaps. 

• Limited scalability: As agency needs grow, disconnected systems often struggle to scale efficiently. 

• Poor user experience: Both employees and citizens may need to navigate multiple interfaces or experience delays as data moves between systems. 

• Difficulty implementing changes: Updates to one system may have unpredictable effects on connected systems, slowing innovation — and creating potential risks. 

The Applicant Experience Pain 

As frustrating as siloed systems are for the back office, when departments continue to operate with a disconnected stack, it’s often applicants who bear the brunt of the fragmentation. When agencies lack an integrated community development tech stack, customers are likely to face delays as back-office staff attempt to corral data across multiple systems. 

When an agency updates information in one system, it can create unexpected problems as the data is not readily available or in a single place. Instead, they must manually copy information between systems, some of which may be missed, further putting at risk the applicant experience — and compromising effective planning efforts for the community.  

Building the Connected Government Technology Estate 

Creating this connected technology landscape requires strategic planning. IT directors and CIOs must continuously evaluate their tech stack as both their application demand and vendor offerings evolve. Yesterday’s perfect solution may not be the right tool tomorrow, so regular review and reprioritization are essential. 

Solutions designed with interoperability into a wide variety of systems at their core can offer seamless integration with other essential systems to accelerate approvals, enhance compliance, and improve the citizen experience. 

By eliminating these barriers, interoperable government technology creates a connected, efficient government that better serves its community — enabling reviewers to focus on high-value tasks while ensuring applicants have a positive experience.