Effective Technology Management Through Elected Governance Positions

The vision for the Department of Technology (DoT), as advocated for at www.department.technology, is to establish a dedicated entity focused on enhancing the US economy’s competitiveness, improving personal privacy and societal safety, promoting transparent and accountable government, and developing advanced, environmentally friendly technology infrastructure, including artificial intelligence. The DoT’s future role encompasses these key areas, ensuring the integration of technology in a way that benefits society holistically.

Having elected positions such as a Secretary of Technology at the state level, a Supervisor of Technology at the county level, and a Director of Technology at the municipal level can significantly address challenges and offer solutions by:

1. Ensuring Accountability and Transparency: Elected officials are directly accountable to the public, which promotes greater transparency in decision-making processes. This ensures that technology initiatives, like the high-speed rail project, are subject to public scrutiny and that any issues, such as funding and schedule delays, are promptly addressed. Publicly elected technology leaders can advocate for and implement transparent practices, making information about projects readily accessible to taxpayers and voters. For example, the 2024 Business Plan highlights funding uncertainty: “Approximately $3 billion in new federal funding for the civil construction to Merced must be committed by the first quarter of 2026 to meet the 2033 completion window, thus raising serious doubt about the feasibility of meeting even this extended deadline” (p. 58).
2. Promoting Efficient and Ethical Use of Technology: These elected positions would be responsible for overseeing the ethical implementation and use of technology within their jurisdictions. This includes ensuring that technology projects are executed efficiently, within budget, and on schedule. For instance, they could establish stricter oversight and more robust risk management strategies for projects like the high-speed rail, reducing the likelihood of cost overruns and delays. The Business Plan notes that “Delays beyond 2030 would result in cost overruns due to inflation, significantly impacting the overall project budget” (p. 52).
3. Facilitating Better Risk Management and Planning: An elected Secretary of Technology, along with their counterparts at county and municipal levels, would prioritize comprehensive risk assessments and contingency planning. They could enforce stricter adherence to timelines and budgets, ensuring that projects have realistic and achievable goals. This would help mitigate emerging risks associated with design, procurement, and other critical activities. The document mentions: “Risks associated with design and procurement activities for the Merced-to-Bakersfield segment remain high, with key work still pending completion” (p. 87).
4. Advocating for Sustainable Funding Solutions: Elected technology officials can lobby for sustainable funding mechanisms and advocate for federal and state support. Their role would include securing necessary funds without compromising project timelines, thereby avoiding the pitfalls of funding uncertainties that plague projects like the high-speed rail.
5. Enhancing Public Engagement and Support: These leaders can engage with the community to ensure public support for technology initiatives. By involving the public in decision-making processes, they can build trust and ensure that projects meet the needs and expectations of the community. This engagement can lead to more accurate ridership estimates and better financial planning for transportation projects. The Business Plan highlights the need for updated ridership estimates: “Revised ridership estimates are critical for evaluating the financial viability of the Central Valley segment” (p. 95).
6. Integrating Advanced Technology Solutions: Elected technology leaders would be well-positioned to integrate cutting-edge technology solutions into public infrastructure projects. This includes utilizing advanced project management tools, implementing cybersecurity measures, and ensuring that projects like the high-speed rail incorporate the latest technological advancements to improve efficiency and safety.

In summary, the establishment of elected positions within the Department of Technology framework would help address challenges related to funding, scheduling, risk management, and transparency in large-scale projects like the California High-Speed Rail. These officials would ensure that technology initiatives are managed effectively, ethically, and transparently, ultimately leading to more successful and publicly supported outcomes.