When it comes to IT modernization in government, there are a number of challenges for bringing these efforts to life. One of the critical elements is gaining senior leadership champions who make these efforts a priority. In addition, the overall acquisition process must be more agile, and sole-source contracting can allow agencies to streamline the procurement of the most-ideal innovations.
For example, the U.S. Air Force’s Kessel Run played a major role in driving IT modernization efforts by taking a page from Silicon Valley, which has paved the way for the use of software factories and provided a platform for additional Air Force modernizing efforts.
These were the key themes of part two of the Modernization as-a-Service podcast series, where Mike Masten, Vice President, Operations at Chenega Applied Solutions discusses the topic further.
“Prior to Kessel Run, IT modernization as we know it did not exist,” said Masten. “When they first approached us, they wanted us to make them a Google – it was all about taking a playbook from the most successful companies in Silicon Valley. Kessel Run became the model and the rest of the Air Force now looks at this effort as something to duplicate. This evolution was inevitable and the Kessel Run crew started the modernization movement as we know it.”
Like what you heard? You can listen to part 1 of this podcast here.