In Fall 2023, the Digital Service Network kicked off its digital transformation policy scan by documenting executive orders (EO) enacted since 2013 that shape the digital transformation of government across states and territories.

Policy shapes the conditions of possibility for how government does its work. Across U.S. states and territories, policy is evolving to shape the digital transformation of government operations and service delivery.

In 2023, the Digital Service Network (DSN) launched a new research agenda to support deeper understanding of three policy tools that influence digital transformation at the state and territorial level — executive orders (EOs), legislation, and administrative rules and guidance.

Our immediate goal? To create accessible resources that document where and how these policies are being enacted to support the work of government practitioners and researchers.

Looking ahead, we aim to understand how governors, policymakers, and public servants define what “good” looks like for government digital transformation and how these policy tools help them achieve success. Our future research will delve into the different policy origins of state-level digital transformation, seeking insights into how policy design influences digital delivery outcomes.

This initiative informs the DSN’s ability to offer robust, evidence-based guidance to promote effective and equitable digital transformation at the state level.