Developing Managers Versus Leaders

Submitted by on Mon, 01/22/2018 - 20:33

The Government Accountability Office has released its updated list of high risk areas across the federal government. It flags for attention the mission-critical skills gap in jobs such as telecommunications, cybersecurity and acquisition. But there is also a growing gap in experienced managers and leaders as baby boomers head for retirement. What approaches are needed to ensure the next generation of managers and leaders are ready?

Challenges in Adopting a Big Data Strategy (Part 1 of 2)

Submitted by on Mon, 01/22/2018 - 20:28
Adopting a big data strategy presents four challenges for public sector organizations. This is the first entry of a two part blog post that identifies those challenges (talent management, interoperability, trust in the data, and cyber infrastructure) and poses a few solutions to help mitigate the risk these challenges present.

Introduction

Challenges in Adopting a Big Data Strategy (Part 2 of 2)

Submitted by on Mon, 01/22/2018 - 20:23

Big data should not be defined as “big” based on the size of the data alone. As defined by an important Commission on Big Data, big data is “a phenomenon that is a result of the rapid acceleration and exponential growth in the expanding volume of high velocity, complex and diverse types of data.” Organizations that do not necessarily have a large volume of data can benefit from a better understanding of the art of the possible with the new generation of analytic tools designed for big data.

Leadership in Action: The Business of Government Magazine Winter 2015

Submitted by on Mon, 01/22/2018 - 20:21

To complement these examples of leadership in action, I also highlight the practical, actionable research done by some of the most recognized and respected thought leaders in public management. It is the unique mission of this magazine, and the IBM Center for The Business of Government as a whole, to connect research to practice, merging real world experience with practical scholarship.

Five Examples of How Federal Agencies Use Big Data

Submitted by on Mon, 01/22/2018 - 20:18

This blog entry provides examples of how federal agencies and other levels of government are developing and applying big data strategies in the areas of fraud detection, financial market analysis, health related research, government oversight, education, criminology, environmental protection, and energy exploration.

Introduction

The FY 2016 Budget: Details Worth a Look

Submitted by on Mon, 01/22/2018 - 19:51

Beyond the dollars in the President's budget, there are some details buried in congressional justifications that are worth examining. I think there are three sets of initiatives - that for the most part do not create new programs nor spend much in new dollars - that are worth attention: Building the capacity to implement and sustain cross-agency priority goals, Creating capacity to conduct meaningful performance-and-results assessments and link them to implementation, and Extending evidence-based approaches to solving problems.

Weekly Roundup: March 2-6, 2015

Submitted by on Mon, 01/22/2018 - 19:48

Social Impact Bond Legislation Introduced. Bi-partisan legislation creating a $300 million fund to pilot "pay for performance" grants has been introduced in the House, with similar legislation to be introduced in Senate. Acquisition Reform Underway. Much can be done administratively to fix the acquisition process, and Federal News Radio reports that OMB's Anne Rung has laid out a series of next steps to expand initiatives underway, such as category management. Shared Services Gains Some Friends.

New Jersey's Manage by Data Program: Changing Culture and Capacity to Improve Outcomes

Submitted by on Mon, 01/22/2018 - 19:30

The "data" movement has many names. In Robert Behn's new book, The Performance Stat Potential, "PerformanceStat" refers to the many "Stat" programs initiated after the New York City Police Department successfully launched CompStat in the 1990s.Others use the term "analytics" to capture the use of data. While the trend toward increased use of data to measure performance has received much attention, the training that civil servants need to use data effectively has received less attention.

What Does It Really Take to Get Things Done?

Submitted by on Mon, 01/22/2018 - 19:25

A recent survey of 400 global company CEOs found that executing their company's strategy heads their list of challenges. Related studies show two-thirds to three-quarters of large organizations struggle to implement their strategies. What these studies found sounds very familiar to what seems to occur in government, as well. I've been writing about the importance of cross-functional collaboration for years - within an agency, across agencies, across levels of government.

Five Myths and Five Ways to Create an Analytics Culture

Submitted by on Mon, 01/22/2018 - 19:14
An organization's culture is often the biggest impediment to embracing analytics and adopting a big data strategy. This blog entry poses 5 myths that inhibit culture change and the adoption of a big data strategy, and suggests 5 ways to create a culture that embraces analytics and is open to a big data strategy.

Introduction

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