Gartner study shows CIO budgets improving

What: A Gartner report titled "Government CIO Agenda 2013: Do Better with the Same," released Aug. 12.

Why: Almost 75 percent of worldwide government IT budgets were reported to be flat or increasing in 2013, according to 1,959 industry and government CIOs surveyed by Gartner in the fourth quarter of 2012. Although any increases might be short-lived, Gartner researchers say even a small infusion of cash will put CIOs in a better position to deliver and manage IT services.

The survey also indicates a shift in priorities. The top three tech priorities for CIOs in 2013 are business intelligence and analytics, modernization, and IT management. Gartner says this means government CIOs are addressing problems with programs and services in a proactive fashion. In addition, government CIOs say reducing total business costs is now more important than reducing IT costs alone, which should promote enterprise-scale initiatives.

Verbatim: "After years of being told to 'do more with less,' many government CIOs report that budgets have stabilized or are increasing, placing them in a better position to deliver and manage IT services more effectively and efficiently. These CIOs are now poised to boost the business value of IT by radically restructuring their services portfolio to drive innovation and improve the performance of government."

Click here for the full report.