From Data Chaos to Mission Power: How Agencies Can Finally Unlock Innovation

Presented by Maximus

On this edition of Fed Gov Today with Francis Rose, Elizabeth McCarthy, Senior Director for Federal Solutions at Maximus, explores the critical link between financial management, data, and innovation in government. Her message is clear: to deliver on their missions, agencies must first understand what drives those missions and then connect the right data to support effective, innovative decision-making.

McCarthy notes that while many agencies have made progress, data quality remains a persistent challenge. Leaders still wrestle with whether to start innovating immediately or wait until data is clean and reliable. In her view, skipping the refinement process is not an option. “Refining the data and making sure it’s ready for analytics is a critical step,” she explains. Agencies cannot achieve true innovation unless their data is consistent, trustworthy, and usable across silos.

This is where strong governance comes in. McCarthy emphasizes that governance strategies—such as consistent naming conventions, data cleansing tools, and standardized formats—are not just bureaucratic details. They are the foundation for leveraging advanced analytics. Without them, agencies risk making decisions on incomplete or inaccurate information, undermining both mission outcomes and innovation potential.

Risk management also plays a central role. Agencies face enormous pressure to monitor security across infrastructure, data, and personnel. Traditionally, risk management has relied on manual tasks and “feelings-based” assessments from stakeholders. McCarthy points out that agencies now have the opportunity to move beyond these subjective methods by using automated,
technical approaches. Maximus itself has recently achieved CMMC Level Two certification, allowing it to better help agencies secure applications and accelerate approval processes.

But technology is only part of the story. McCarthy is quick to stress that people must be prepared for change. Artificial intelligence is reshaping government operations, and employees need the training and confidence to use new tools effectively. “Change management around bringing AI in, upskilling the workforce, and making sure they’re ready and prepared to use AI tools” is essential, she says. Employees must understand not only how to use AI but also how these tools will make their jobs easier and more impactful.

Looking ahead, McCarthy is focused on identifying agency-specific use cases for AI and other innovations. Each agency’s needs are different, and Maximus aims to guide them through the process—from selecting the right tools to establishing guardrails and preparing the workforce. The goal is not just to introduce new technologies, but to ensure they are used safely, effectively, and in ways that directly advance each agency’s mission.

The conversation underscores a broader truth: government innovation depends as much on clean data, governance, and workforce readiness as it does on cutting-edge technology. By putting mission first and building the right foundations, agencies can deliver smarter, faster, and more reliable services to the people they serve.