Intact Insider | October 28, 2024

Welcome back, Insiders!?

With autumn in full swing and the fiscal year beginning for many of you, change is certainly in the air. From new contracts to strategic transitions, it’s also a time to look ahead at how evolving acquisition strategies and policies may shape the future.

As the upcoming presidential election brings the possibility of shifts in priorities, federal agencies and the DoD must prioritize forward-looking IT strategies to include platform governance to stay resilient. Rather than defaulting to "good enough" procurement methods like Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) models —which often prioritize short-term savings over sustained success—we believe that organizations should focus on sourcing vendor partners who offer true value and strategic alignment.

At Intact, our commitment to "cutting failure out of the equation" is at the core of our mission, and it’s never more relevant than during times of transition. Effective platform governance isn’t about creating hurdles; it’s a differentiator that enables a structured, efficient approach to support the rapid delivery of outcomes. By ensuring that platforms like ServiceNow and integrated systems work seamlessly, we help agencies move fast without compromising quality or control.

By focusing on platform strategy and governance, agencies can better align with changing policies, eliminate costly rework, and maximize the impact of their resources. Let’s ensure your digital tools are primed for success and resilient enough to thrive under any administration.

ICYMI, our last issue covered the top digital transformation mistakes to avoid.??

In this issue of Intact Insider, we'll discuss…

• What organizations miss by overlooking platform governance
• How federal agencies are leveraging winning governance strategies to deliver rapid outcomes?
• Our continued commitment to social impact?
• Lastly, a well-earned award worth celebrating!

Your IT Strategy Shouldn't Scare You!

Are you worried your IT architecture is becoming a "Frankenhouse" of piecemeal solutions and tangled workflows?

Just as you wouldn’t build a city without urban planning—imagine constructing skyscrapers, roads, and utilities without a master plan—you shouldn’t build an IT landscape without solid platform strategy and governance, either.

Implementing a platform like ServiceNow without governance risks creating data silos, incompatible systems, redundant processes, and inconsistent user experiences across departments. Worse yet, failed planning often leads to failed technology adoption—an outcome we believe no organization should face.

That’s why we consider platform governance early and often—integrating it into our core services. We believe in it so much we even offer it as a stand-alone service. Because we know that by overlooking this critical practice, you miss these key benefits:???

1. Order of operations optimization: Ensures IT projects follow the right sequence, coordinating all moving parts, leaving you with a cohesive digital environment, built efficiently.
2. Customization control: Balances unique needs with standardization, resulting in a harmonious system that's easier to maintain and update.
3. Accelerated implementation: Speeds up digital transformation by avoiding costly mistakes and reworks. Clear guidelines eliminate confusion and bottlenecks, so you can start to see the benefits of your endeavors more quickly.
4. Increased agility: Creates a flexible digital foundation that empowers organizations to respond swiftly to new business opportunities and challenges.
5. Lower total cost: Acts as regular maintenance for your digital ecosystem, preventing costly mistakes and extending the life of your systems. This leads to significant long-term savings and improved ROI.

Remember: you're not in the business of IT—you're in the business of value creation.

Platform governance has long been essential for IT leaders striving to maximize limited resources and achieve meaningful transformation. Yet, as demands on IT departments grow, it can be challenging to prioritize governance amid competing initiatives. Governance matters because it creates a unified framework that aligns technology with strategic goals, reduces redundant efforts, and improves the efficiency and reliability of IT systems.

To gain buy-in, communicate to leadership how governance streamlines processes, reduces long-term technical debt, and helps avoid the pitfalls of fragmented systems and inconsistent practices. By positioning governance as an enabler of strategic priorities, you can highlight its role in achieving more with the resources already on hand.

Here are three practical steps to help introduce platform governance as a powerful strategy for transformation:

1. Quantify the cost of inaction: Document current inefficiencies, redundancies, and technical debt. Calculate the long-term costs of maintaining fragmented systems versus implementing proper governance.
2. Start small, think big: Begin with a pilot program in one department or process. Use early wins to demonstrate value and build momentum for broader adoption.
3. Align with strategic goals: Frame governance not as an IT initiative, but as an enabler of agency-wide objectives, from improved citizen services to enhanced security compliance.

Explore how platform strategy and governance can work for you>>

Platform Governance: Lessons from the Field

Many of our federal agency customers have been able to see the benefits of our platform governance offering. Across these implementations, we’ve identified two major benefits of strategic platform governance:

Change management: We've refined change management procedures to minimize disruptions during updates while maximizing long-term benefits. This means coordinating changes across multiple stakeholders, ensuring compliance with federal requirements, and maintaining system stability—all without interrupting mission-critical operations.

Documentation as a strategic asset: Beyond simply updating internal documentation, we're creating a living knowledge base that evolves with the platform. This ensures all stakeholders have access to current, accurate information that supports both daily operations and future enhancements.

We've also identified a few best practices along the way:

• There’s no one-size-fits-all training. We provide dedicated support to maximize platform adoption across different user groups.
• Continuously gather and analyze data. This includes user feedback and other operational data to fine-tune the platform and meet customers’ evolving needs.
• Be proactive. Instead of waiting for issues to arise, we work alongside stakeholders to identify potential challenges and opportunities, supporting long-term project goals while maintaining compliance with federal standards.

By prioritizing these strategic enhancements, we're demonstrating how effective platform governance transforms federal IT projects from mere implementations into sustainable, evolving solutions that deliver lasting value.

Partners with a Cause

On Wednesday, October 23rd, Intact had the distinct privilege to support the RYAN BARTEL FOUNDATION INC as a sponsor at the 3rd annual ServiceNow Kickball Tournament.

Eleven fiercely competitive teams were comprised of ServiceNow employees and their federal partner sponsors in a bracket-style tournament held at Nottoway Park in Vienna, VA. Lauren Gehrig , Katie Schlesinger and Jordan Smith represented team Intact.

ServiceNow and their federal partners helped exceed their fundraising goal and presented the Ryan Bartel Foundation with a donation check at the end of an amazing and eventful day—a win we can all be proud of!

Find out more about this meaningful cause >>

Celebrating Hispanic Heritage—All Year Long

Hispanic Heritage Month may have just wrapped, but it was a great reminder of how diversity strengthens our workplace and enriches our culture at Intact.

"Experiencing two worlds allowed me to open my mind and see things from a different perspective." -Erick Skyle, System Administrator

Through stories like this one, from Erick Skyle , a system administrator on our Technical Services team, we can create a more inclusive environment where collaboration flourishes and innovation thrives.

Read Erick's story here>>

We're proud to announce that Intact has been named one of the 2024 Fortune Best Workplaces for Women? ! This recognition, from Great Place To Work US and Fortune , reflects our commitment to creating an environment where everyone feels heard and valued.?

Women make invaluable contributions across the workplace, home, and local communities, driving positive change and innovation in each sphere. At Intact, we're proud that nearly 50% of our leadership team is composed of women, reflecting our steadfast commitment to fostering equitable opportunities and empowering all team members to make meaningful impacts on our clients, communities, and one another.

Read more about what makes Intact Technology a great place to work >>

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