Public service agencies are embracing cloud at an accelerating rate today. It’s no wonder. Organizations crave the benefits of lower infrastructure costs and greater flexibility. After all, cloud is the means to the end of future service delivery models. Consumption can be dialed up and down on demand, which allows agencies to monitor spend closely, while creating more insight-driven services. It’s all in the service of better, data-driven decision making and to enable a more personalized user interface.

As important as these outcomes are—and what they mean for the future of government service delivery and operations—agencies don’t always know the right approach to investing in and migrating to cloud. Add to that the pressure they feel as they scramble to meet the demands of the post-pandemic environment. The benefits of cloud are clear. But how can agencies break through the barriers and make cloud work for them—and for those they serve?

The benefits of cloud for public service agencies are undisputed: cost savings, risk mitigation, flexibility, and speed.

But, for many agencies, the transition to cloud is not straightforward. Implementing systemic change is complicated. And the cost of failure is high. Many factors can complicate government IT projects. These include disconnected stakeholders, fluctuating budgets, shifting regulatory frameworks, strict data privacy and data sovereignty rules, and challenges in measuring ROI in a public sector context. To overcome these challenges public service agencies need:

• Thoughtful planning
• Comprehensive stakeholder support
• Culture of collaboration

Working under an aggressive deadline, the US state of California is moving from three legacy integrated eligibility systems to a single, statewide cloud-based system.

When it comes to cloud, there’s never been a better—or more important—time for public service agencies to act. Demand from citizens is clear, new operating models are being adopted, and governments are providing relief and incentive schemes to create the next generation of public service. To get started, define—in your own terms—the value of moving to cloud. Keep the momentum going with these five key steps to success.

We are now at an inflection point for scaling cloud adoption. Cloud has proven its importance to resilient public service operations—and its ability to meet the constantly evolving needs of the public.

When public service agencies use cloud to build services and solutions that accommodate community needs, it gives citizens faster access to vital, current information and resources. This, in turn, increases the perceived value of these agencies and the services they provide. While such transitions require time and the support of trusted partners, the outcomes are well worth the effort.