State government agencies are increasingly turning to technology to streamline benefits administration, improve compliance, and enhance service delivery to employees. But too often, these efforts are undermined—not by the technology itself, but by a more fundamental issue: miscommunication.
When your technology vendors don’t understand the public sector—and your team doesn’t speak “tech”—even the best solutions can fall short.
The Cost of Misalignment
📉 As few as 13% of large government IT projects succeed, according to the U.S. General Services Administration’s 18F team. This failure rate mirrors broader trends: a Standish Group report found that government tech projects over $6 million succeed just 13% of the time.
Further, research by Budzier & Flyvbjerg shows that 18% of public‑sector IT projects exceed budget by 25% or more, with data management projects hitting 41% overrun.
That’s not just numbers—it’s thousands of frustrated employees and wasted taxpayer dollars.
What “Speaking the Same Language” Looks Like
For a state agency, choosing a vendor who gets the public sector isn’t a bonus—it’s a baseline. The right partner should:
- Understand your environment – They should be familiar with centralized payroll systems, budget cycles, FOIA implications, and state-specific benefits programs.
- Translate tech into outcomes – Your HR, IT, and Finance teams shouldn’t need a dictionary to understand how a new tool will reduce errors, simplify audits, or streamline OE.
- Support the full procurement journey – From RFP responses to multi-year contract support, your vendor should know how to work within your procurement framework, not around it.
- Align with your values – Public sector organizations prioritize transparency, security, and equity. Your vendor should, too.
The Red Flags to Watch For
If your technology partner is doing any of the following, it might be time to re-evaluate:
- Pushing one-size-fits-all solutions without adapting to your state’s regulations
- Overusing jargon and avoiding plain language explanations
- Dodging questions about data hosting, SOC 2 compliance, or audit readiness
- Failing to engage with HR, IT, and procurement stakeholders early and often
The Hard Numbers
- 70% of digital transformation initiatives fail to meet objectives, according to BCG.
- Gallup estimates IT project failures cost the U.S. economy between $50 billion–$150 billion annually.
- Vendors themselves say the top selection criteria is reducing IT workload—57% call this the most important factor.
Clearly, teams are under pressure. They prioritize efficiency, leaving communication gaps and complexity unresolved.
Real-World Failures—Then & Now
- Rhode Island’s UHIP rollout (2016) delayed benefits for 20,000+ families due to poor testing and miscommunication with federal partners.
- FBI’s Virtual Case File (2000–’05) cost nearly $170 million before being abandoned—built without adequately defining user needs.
When vendor and agency definitions misalign—even just one key requirement—the consequences are enormous: delays, increased costs, compliance risk, and reputational damage.
How Bentek Bridges the Gap
At Bentek, we don’t just build benefits administration software—we work with state governments every step of the way. Our team speaks both “tech” and “government,” helping HR professionals, finance directors, IT teams, and procurement officers navigate the complexity of:
- Multi-agency collaboration
- State-specific reporting and compliance
- Custom integrations with payroll and legacy systems
- Bulk open enrollment processes tailored to your timeline and rules
We’re not here to sell a system. We’re here to simplify your process, amplify your impact, and reduce your stress—with technology that actually works in the real world of state government.
Final Thought: Speak Up Before You Sign On
Before your agency commits to another solution, ask the hard questions. Make sure your vendor understands your environment, not just their product. Because in the world of government technology, fluency matters—and your success depends on it.
Let’s talk in your language.
Schedule a 15-minute intro call with our public sector team and see how Bentek can help your agency streamline benefits administration from day one.
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