Research and Advisory
Principled Insight for the
Federal Technology Ecosystem
Purpose
Bringing Clarity to the Federal Technology Ecosystem
The federal technology market suffers from a critical communication failure. The government broadcasts a complex, unsynthesized signal of its actual needs across dozens of disparate channels. In response, industry transmits a capability signal often distorted by marketing hype or the expensive promise of custom-built solutions.
This dynamic creates a vicious feedback loop, trapping both sides in a cycle of mediocrity. Billions are spent on "modernization" with little tangible improvement to government services, because strategy, planning, and sourcing are grounded in miscommunication, not reality.
Six Point Perspectives was founded to break this cycle.
My purpose is to serve as the ecosystem's essential synthesis and translation engine. I do the hard work of synthesizing the government's complex data into a coherent picture of its real, funded priorities. I then help industry align their proven, enterprise-class capabilities to solve those specific mission problems.
I replace chaos with clarity. My work enables government to become a smart adopter of world-class technology and empowers industry to become a true partner in advancing the public mission.
Approach
My research and advisory services are defined by four core principles. These principles differentiate my work and deliver unparalleled value to senior leaders throughout the federal technology ecosystem.
Exclusive
Federal
Focus
My analysis is focused exclusively on the U.S. federal technology enterprise—its unique scale, complexity, and diversity. This singular concentration provides a depth of insight into the cultural, operational, and procurement challenges that generalist firms simply cannot match.
Integrated Executive Perspective
I build my insights by synthesizing viewpoints from three critical vantage points: the federal executive (CIO), the commercial technology leader, and the objective industry analyst. This multi-faceted approach ensures a holistic and robust understanding of any issue.
Practitioner-Led Intelligence
My analysis is shaped by decades of executive-level accountability for delivering mission-critical services. While data is widely available, its true value lies in its interpretation. My work starts where market intelligence platforms end, transforming raw data and lived experience into actionable insight.
Uncompromising Independence
My insight is my only product. I do not sell technology, managed services, or implementation consulting. This guarantees my analysis is free from the commercial bias so common among vendors and integrators. Your mission is my only agenda.
Clients
I serve senior leaders who understand what is at stake. My clients have no time for hype and no patience for self-serving perspectives masquerading as insight. They require substance, clarity, and an unwavering focus on the mission. My work is designed for:
Industry Leaders
Technology CEOs, public sector VPs, and strategists who need genuine clarity on the federal landscape. I work with leaders committed to delivering value to both their investors and the nation, without compromise.
Investors
Private equity firms, venture capitalists, and market analysts requiring deep, unbiased due diligence. My work provides the rigorous market analysis needed to navigate the unique opportunities and risks of the federal technology sector.
Federal Executives
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Chief Information Officers, CXOs, and senior leadership seeking independent review of IT strategy, investments, and risk. I partner with principals who are driven to make a tangible impact and leave a legacy of service, not just occupy a position.
Media & Journalists
Industry and business reporters who require an independent, evidence-based, and quotable source. I provide on-background analysis that is free from commercial influence, helping journalists deliver authentic reporting that cuts through the market noise.
Research and Analysis
The Ground Truth for the Federal Enterprise
The research I create is what I wish I had when I was a federal CIO, and what I wish industry understood before they approached the agencies where I served.
In a market saturated with generic reports and vendor-driven narratives, I provide analysis anchored in the complex reality of government. My work is designed to give you a distinct advantage by illuminating the ground truth of the federal technology ecosystem—its ambitions, its challenges, and its true trajectory.
To do this, I move beyond linear analysis and employ a 360° Research Approach, examining the enterprise from every critical angle to build a comprehensive, actionable picture that leaders need.
This is the ground truth you need to build strategy, win contracts, and lead with confidence. By integrating these three analytical lenses, I provide my clients with the holistic, evidence-based perspective that is simply unavailable elsewhere.
My Story
My perspective on the federal technology enterprise was forged over a 40-year career viewing technology from every critical angle.
My journey began in a classic software startup, building project management systems from the ground up for the emerging computer architectures of the time. This technical and entrepreneurial foundation led me to the private sector, first advising the telecommunications industry with Accenture, and later holding technology leadership positions at Sprint and Verizon during periods of intense business transformation. My private sector experience was complemented by my time as an industry analyst at Gartner, where I advised public sector leaders on their most pressing challenges.
This path culminated in my public service, beginning with senior executive roles at the Department of Justice focused on delivering transformational enterprise technology. Ultimately, I had the honor of serving as the Chief Information Officer for the U.S. Department of the Treasury. As CIO, I directed a $5 billion IT portfolio, ensuring its direct alignment with the Treasury's vital mission: maintaining a strong U.S. economy and protecting the integrity of its financial system.
This journey—from developer to consultant, commercial leader, industry analyst, and federal CIO—is the foundation of Six Point Perspectives. It provides me with a unique, multi-faceted vantage point on the challenges and opportunities that define the federal technology ecosystem.
Connect
The right insight makes all the difference when facing high-stakes decisions.
Whether you have a specific challenge in mind or would like to learn more about my approach, I invite you to connect.
I review all inquiries personally and will respond within one business day.
Contact Information
Email:
eric.olson@sixpointperspectives.com
LinkedIn:
www.linkedin.com/in/erolson
Location:
Reston, Virginia