North Dakota Taking Proactive Approach to Reducing Tech Debt

North Dakota is taking a proactive approach to reducing tech debt across state government, modernizing aging systems and infrastructure before they become more costly and complex to maintain.

Tech debt, like financial debt, can accumulate over time. Aging infrastructure, outdated applications, complex integrations, and technologies that require specialized expertise can make it more difficult and expensive to maintain and improve government services.

North Dakota is addressing that challenge through broader modernization efforts across the state’s technology environment. The work includes updating infrastructure, strengthening application architecture, enhancing cybersecurity, improving how systems exchange data, and creating a more flexible foundation for future technology investments.

Good government means planning ahead, said Corey Mock, Chief Information Officer for the State of North Dakota. We’re making smart investments today to reduce complexity and risk, improve the services agencies deliver, and build a technology foundation that can support North Dakotans for years to come.

Addressing Tech Debt Before It Becomes a Larger Challenge

One part of this broader effort is modernizing the state’s remaining mainframe environment. Certain applications and data continue to operate on the mainframe, and NDIT is taking steps to strategically transition those applications to modern platforms.

The goal isn’t simply to replace aging technology. Modernization provides an opportunity to simplify the state’s technology environment—improving how systems connect, reducing reliance on specialized legacy technologies, and creating more sustainable platforms for future development and support.

Mainframe modernization is one piece of our larger effort to reduce tech debt across state government, said Craig Felchle, Chief Technology Officer for North Dakota Information Technology. By addressing aging technology thoughtfully and intentionally, we can reduce complexity, improve our ability to support these systems over time, and create a more flexible environment for future innovation.

The broader effort also creates opportunities to strengthen shared infrastructure and integration services, reduce duplication, and make it easier for agencies to adopt modern solutions. These investments can help position the state to respond more effectively as technology and the needs of North Dakotans continue to evolve.

Building a More Sustainable Digital Foundation

The big takeaway: By addressing aging technology before it becomes increasingly difficult to maintain, North Dakota is maximizing its investments while improving reliability, security, and flexibility.

This work reflects North Dakota’s commitment to responsible technology stewardship and continuous modernization. Rather than waiting for aging systems to become a barrier to innovation, the state is taking deliberate steps to simplify its technology environment and build a stronger future for citizens.

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