Government agencies are entering 2026 under familiar pressure: tighter budgets, higher service expectations, increased compliance requirements, and limited staffing. For operations leaders, the challenge isn’t introducing flashy new technology; it’s simplifying the systems teams rely on every day.
Print and document workflows remain some of the most overlooked areas of operational inefficiency. Disconnected devices, manual processes, and fragmented document storage quietly slow down work across departments. In 2026, agencies that focus on simplification — not just digitization — will see the biggest gains in efficiency, security, and service delivery.
Despite digital initiatives, print and paper-based processes are still deeply embedded in government operations. Permits, records, correspondence, public notices, and internal approvals often require a mix of physical and digital handling.
When these systems aren’t aligned, operational teams face:
Simplifying print and documentation doesn’t eliminate paper. It creates clarity, consistency, and control across how information moves.
In 2026, simplification is less about replacing everything and more about reducing friction. For operations teams, that means fewer systems to manage, clearer processes to follow, and better visibility into how work moves through the organization.
Key elements of simplified government workflows include:
The goal is to make everyday work easier for staff while ensuring compliance happens in the background; not as an extra step.
Print environments often grow organically over time, resulting in too many devices, inconsistent configurations, and unclear ownership. Operations teams can simplify print by focusing on consolidation and standardization.
Effective strategies include:
When print is managed centrally, agencies reduce downtime, lower costs, and free staff from troubleshooting issues that distract from mission-critical work.
One of the biggest operational risks is disruption. Staff already stretched thin don’t have time for complex system changes. That’s why documentation simplification should focus on incremental improvements.
Practical steps include:
When documentation systems work intuitively, adoption happens naturally — and productivity improves without extensive retraining.
Security and compliance are often seen as constraints, but in simplified workflows they become operational strengths. Centralized print and document systems allow agencies to:
Instead of adding steps, modern systems embed compliance directly into everyday processes, reducing risk while saving time.
For government operations leaders, success in 2026 will be measured by stability, efficiency, and resilience. Simplifying print and documentation supports all three.
Key questions to ask:
Answering these questions helps agencies prioritize changes that deliver immediate operational value.
In government, modernization isn’t about moving faster—it’s about removing obstacles. Simplifying print and documentation in 2026 allows operations teams to support staff more effectively, serve constituents better, and maintain compliance with confidence.
Agencies that focus on clarity, consistency, and control will be better equipped to meet the demands of the year ahead without adding complexity to already full plates.
Simplification starts with understanding your workflows.
Every agency’s print and documentation environment is different. SumnerOne works with government operations teams to identify inefficiencies, reduce manual steps, and design streamlined workflows that fit real-world processes; not idealized ones.
Connect with our team to explore where simplification can deliver the most immediate impact.