One: Assess your current digital ecosystem

Before you plan, budget, or issue an RFP, you need a clear picture of your entire state's ecosystem.

The picture you have is often incomplete in ways you don't realize. Inventories and accessibility audits are outdated. Internal capabilities are assumed rather than understood. Understanding the reality of your ecosystem early prevents surprises later.

Start by asking a different set of questions:

• Who are your audiences, and where are they getting stuck?
• Where are complaints and support issues surfacing?
• Which agencies have mature content practices, and which ones don’t?
• How consistent (or inconsistent) are your user experiences?
• What can your team realistically support today?

You don’t need perfect answers, but gathering as much information as you can about your ecosystem will shape every decision that follows.