Revolutionizing Government Operational Efficiency Through Innovation

Today’s government agencies are being asked to do more with less. As missions grow more complex and budgets tighten, operational efficiency through innovation is no longer optional— it’s essential to ongoing mission success.

That theme was highlighted at the recent Microsoft Fed Biz App Summit in a panel titled “Revolutionizing Government Operational Efficiency Through Innovation.” Moderated by Anne Frobel, General Manager and Federal Defense Industrial Base Leader at Microsoft, the panel brought together two industry leaders:

• MJ Jackson, VP, Global Head of Industries at Docusign

• Aaron Robinson, Microsoft Government & Public Sector Leader at EY

Together, they explored how integrated technologies like Microsoft Power Platform and Dynamics, when paired with Docusign’s digital agreement solutions, empower agencies to streamline workflows, reduce risk, and unlock measurable results.

The panel offered vital strategies and a compelling vision for the future of efficient, AI-enabled government, exploring how AI enables smarter processes today and what agencies must do to ensure they’re ready for its rapid acceleration.

Here are some of the key takeaways from this event. 

Myth versus reality: Modernization isn’t a mindset problem

One of the most powerful takeaways from the discussion was the myth-busting around government modernization. A common misconception is that agencies are reluctant to adopt new technology. The reality is a bit more nuanced.

Many government systems are 8 to 50 years old, and legacy infrastructure—not lack of willingness from government employees—is what slows innovation. In some cases, agencies no longer have access to the people who understand these systems well enough to modernize them confidently. Others simply face too many competing priorities and not enough time or resources to tackle the technical debt.

“It becomes this thing that no one wants to touch because they are afraid that it’s going to break,” said Robinson. 

The need isn’t about convincing agencies to modernize. It’s about helping them navigate the complexities of modernization. Thanks to Microsoft Power Platform, Dynamics, and partners like Docusign, the path is becoming more accessible than ever.

Hot take moment #1: Efficiency, reframed

The panel also explored how government agencies can and should rethink how they define and measure efficiency. True efficiency isn’t just about reducing costs. It’s all about maximizing productivity, increasing visibility, and minimizing risk. 

“Efficiency isn’t just about going digital—it’s about streamlining, automating, and eliminating the friction that slows agencies down,” said Jackson.

Metrics like time saved per workflow, agreement completion rates, and error reduction paint a far more accurate picture of transformation than budget cuts alone. For example, 76% of Docusign eSignature agreements are completed in under 24 hours, with more than half finished in less than 15 minutes. At scale, that kind of turnaround fundamentally changes how agencies deliver on their missions.

The conversation also emphasized the importance of data accessibility and compliance readiness as key enablers towards an efficient government. For example, integrations between Docusign and Microsoft allow agencies to build transparency directly into their workflows, enabling real-time document tracking, centralized storage in SharePoint, and reduced audit and reporting friction.

Hot take moment #2: AI is unlike anything we've faced before

The panelists spent significant time discussing the transformative potential of AI and its unique challenges.

“AI is the one product that changes itself over time. What you’re comfortable with today might not be what it looks like six months from now,” said Jackson. 

Unlike other technologies that mature predictably, AI evolves at an astoundingly rapid pace. That means agencies can’t just “set it and forget it.” Success with AI depends on structured, accessible, and trustworthy data, which is something that many agencies are still working toward.

You had to be there moment: Applying the “meeting that could’ve been an email” mindset toward forms 

One of the most memorable moments came when MJ Jackson asked the audience: “How many of you have been in a meeting and thought, ‘This could’ve been an email’?”

Then MJ asked what if AI could do the same thing, not just for meetings, but for government forms. He described a future where AI could instantly identify the correct form, pre-populate it with known data, and guide the user through completion—all without requiring a download, email, or separate search.

Actionable strategies: Where to start and what to measure

The panel also offered several clear, actionable strategies for agencies looking to embrace innovation and digital transformation in practical ways:

• Automate the agreement lifecycle: Use Microsoft Power Platform to digitize forms and route them automatically for review, approval, and secure signatures through Docusign eSignature—eliminating bottlenecks and paper-based delays.

• Integrate agreement workflows into daily tools: With Docusign’s native integrations across Microsoft Teams, Word, Outlook, and SharePoint, users can complete agreement tasks without leaving their core apps.

• Measure outcomes beyond cost savings: Focus on KPIs that reflect productivity (like time saved per agreement), visibility (such as data access and audit readiness), and risk reduction (error rate, dispute resolution time).

These strategies are already transforming public sector operations—from grant-making to recruiting to internal administration—and they're scalable to fit any agency’s size or mission.

Watch the full panel on demand

Want to hear more insights on how to revolutionize operational efficiency for government? 

Watch the panel to see how innovation, integration, and AI are reshaping what’s possible in government operations.