The federal landscape is constantly shifting due to technological breakthroughs, modernization needs, leadership change-overs and emerging priorities. This is never more true than at the beginning of a new presidential administration, and 2025 is sure to be a transformational and pivotal year in determining how the remainder of this decade and beyond will take shape on an organizational level.
MeriTalk recently interviewed Federal CIOs to understand their top tech priorities for 2025. They found that cybersecurity, workforce transformation, and AI rank as the top technology priorities in the Federal government, but that funding and skills gaps are hindering progress in these areas.
GovCon Wire spoke with Ben Baldi, senior vice president of global public sector at automated software testing company Tricentis, to get his unique perspective on how the federal government is evolving and how the industrial base can accommodate the transformations. He touched on the ins and outs of data management, differences one might see in procurement processes and much more.
GovCon Wire: Despite ongoing efforts to close the skills gap, year over year, workforce transformation remains a challenge for the federal government. What needs to change, and where do you think agencies can make progress in this area in 2025?
Ben Baldi: Workforce transformation has been a perennial challenge for the federal government, and I donât see that changing in 2025. What I do see, though, are opportunities for progress if agencies take a more focused and strategic approach.
First, automation will be key. By adopting test automation, agencies can free up IT personnel from repetitive, time-consuming tasks and allow them to focus on higher-value priorities like cybersecurity and innovation. Additionally, leveraging low-code and no-code tools can democratize technology adoption across the workforce, enabling non-technical employees to contribute to digital transformation efforts. These are smart ways to stretch tight budgets while optimizing skilled resources, accelerating modernization and reducing operational bottlenecks.
Second, we need to rethink training. The federal workforce operates in an increasingly complex environment, so employees must be prepared to wear multiple hats. Agencies should offer cross-disciplinary training in areas like cybersecurity, quality assurance, data analytics and cloud computing. Partnering with private sector organizations and building strong mentorship programs can also help employees stay agile and ready for emerging challenges.
Finally, agencies must double down on creating a purpose-driven culture. People stay when they feel their work matters, whether itâs advancing national security, improving public health, or driving innovation that will impact society at large. Leaders can inspire commitment by celebrating successes, showing the real-world effects of their teamsâ work and involving employees in meaningful decision-making.
In 2025, agencies that integrate these strategiesâautomation, training and mission-driven cultureâwill be better positioned to close the skills gap and build a workforce thatâs ready to tackle future challenges.
GCW: From the same survey, federal CIOs reported that improving data readiness was one of their top AI goals for 2025. What steps do agencies need to take in 2025 to improve data readiness?
Baldi: In 2025, I predict weâll see data readiness take center stage as agencies ramp up their AI and generative AI initiatives. The message is clear: without high-quality, well-structured data, even the most sophisticated AI tools will fall short. Thatâs why improving data readiness is becoming a top priority for federal CIOsâand rightly so.
Data readiness means having data thatâs clean, structured and ready to be used for analysis and decision-making. But you canât have true data readiness without data integrityâthat is, ensuring the data is accurate, consistent and reliable from start to finish. The two go hand in hand, and both are essential for successful AI programs.
In 2025, agencies will need to adopt smarter, more proactive approaches to improve both. I expect to see a big push for automation to handle routine data checks, like identifying errors, inconsistencies, or missing values before they cause bigger problems. Agencies will also likely lean on real-time dashboards and alerts to monitor data quality and address issues like data drift as soon as they arise.
Another prediction? Strategic checkpoints will become standard practice. As data flows through increasingly complex systemsâthink hybrid environments, multi-cloud setups, and diverse applicationsâagencies will need built-in safeguards to detect changes in data structures to prevent biases from creeping in.
Weâre also seeing new use cases emerge for data integrity, from validating data during migrations to ensuring operational accuracy in enterprise resource planning, or ERP, systems and meeting compliance demands. These are areas where agencies can make immediate progress while preparing for the bigger AI picture.
Ultimately, 2025 will be about laying the groundwork. Agencies that prioritize data readiness and integrity now will position themselves to unlock AI and generative AIâs full potentialâdriving efficiency, innovation, and better services for citizens.
GCW: How have you seen government IT procurement evolve over the last year, and what changes do you envision in 2025?
Baldi: Another key trend weâre observing is the growing prioritization of automated software testing in government procurement. Requests for proposals are increasingly mandating software testingâespecially automated testingâas a standard requirement. This shift highlights a recognition among agencies of the critical role continuous testing plays in minimizing operational risks and achieving mission objectives. Additionally, weâre seeing an emphasis on embedding security testing early in the software development lifecycle, reflecting broader DevSecOps trends and enabling public sector IT teams to deliver secure applications more efficiently.
At the same time, agencies are navigating heightened complexity within their technology ecosystems. From on-premises setups to multi-cloud and hybrid environments, and across microservices and enterprise applications like Salesforce, SAP, ServiceNow, Oracle, and Workday, agencies must ensure seamless and consistent testing across diverse systems and platforms. Automated software testing allows agencies to do just that.
GCW: What other emerging trends or challenges do you foresee shaping government agencies’ strategies in 2025, particularly in anticipation of a new administration?
Baldi: In 2025, many are expecting government agencies will face significant pressure to adapt to shifting priorities under the Department of Government Efficiency. This initiative will emphasize leaner, more independent teams, pushing agencies to streamline operations and embrace automation to replace outdated manual processes. Agencies will need to accelerate modernization efforts, as efficiency and speed will be paramount to meeting tighter fiscal demands. Those that fail to adopt scalable and automated solutions risk falling behind, particularly as federal and state budgets increasingly prioritize innovation and agility. Software testing, particularly automated testing, will be a cornerstone of these efforts, enabling agencies to modernize faster and with greater efficiency.
At the same time, I expect unspent infrastructure funds and shifting budget allocations will create urgency for agencies to act strategically. Departments like the Department of Homeland Security are expected to receive substantial funding increases, presenting opportunities for targeted modernization efforts. However, as the 2026 budget cycle looms, agencies must prepare for unpredictable shifts in funding and priorities. Success will require a forward-looking approachâbalancing compliance with efficiency mandates while leveraging data-driven insights to address program demands and unlock growth opportunities in a competitive and evolving environment.
