Teresa Weipert

[Commentary] A key function of government is to address citizen constituent needs. Fulfilling those needs requires implementing innovative and cost-effective services through the public sector’s digital transformation. The goal of citizen service is to provide faster, flexible and more responsive performance in critical mission programs. Partnering with the private sector has proven to be a good channel for innovation and helps deliver best commercial practices for agencies. This collaboration allows for fiscal accountability and provides a vehicle for efficient and fruitful programs.

In any vertical—health care, national security, transportation or education—a starting point for innovation can be in public/private partnering for citizen services. In commercial markets, the pressure is to win, maintain and expand market share while delighting customers with excellent customer service. This same level of pressure is on governments today with the goals of excellent response and effective resolution of any issue.

[Teresa A. Weipert is senior vice president of Sutherland Government Solutions.]