What Do We Know About Inter-Organizational Networks?

Submitted by on Tue, 01/23/2018 - 15:04

Government and non-profits have already been pioneering the use of collaborative networks over the past two decades to solve complex societal challenges such as clean waterways, reducing child abuse, serving the mentally ill in the community, and reducing smoking. Much of this pioneering work has been done without a roadmap of what works and when using networks is more effective than relying on traditional hierarchies or the marketplace to achieve public goals.

Weekly Round-up: September 26, 2014

Submitted by on Tue, 01/23/2018 - 15:01

John Kamensky Much, Much Better Buying Power. According to Jared Surbu, Federal News Radio, “The Defense Department unveiled the latest version of its Better Buying Power initiative Friday [September 19], shifting the acquisition improvement spotlight this time onto the need to drive more advanced technologies into the products DoD buys.” DHS Secretary Makes Risk Management a Priority.

Student Aid: Pioneers in Managing Risk

Submitted by on Tue, 01/23/2018 - 14:58

One former federal leader, Todd Grams, observes that agencies that ignore risk are actually creating risk. Not surprisingly, there has been increasing interest in agencies in recent years in developing a risk management function. So what does it look like? The Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) in the Department of Education undertook efforts a decade ago to create a risk management function, which may serve as inspiration for other agencies considering the same.

Making Data Real – Lessons From and For Federal Leaders

Submitted by on Tue, 01/23/2018 - 14:57

In a panel discussion (watch the video) led by the Partnership’s Judy England-Joseph, three government leaders detailed the lessons learned from their experience that can help other agencies in the sound use of analytics to make decisions. Specifically: Social Security Administration (SSA) - Gerald Ray runs the Disability Appeals process. He observed that the disability review process required significant knowledge of regulatory compliance as well as the specifics of each individual case.

Weekly Round-Up: September 30 - October 3, 2014

Submitted by on Tue, 01/23/2018 - 14:54

John Kamensky Next Steps on Implementing the DATA Act. Over the past week, there were a series of events around the implementation of the DATA Act. Jason Miller, Federal News Radio, says a joint Treasury-OMB townhall focused on the usability of the new data to be collected, by creating a clear map and navigation of the soon-to-be revamped (again) USASpending.gov website. Adam Mazmanian, Federal Computer Week, notes “OMB is leading the charge to develop data definition standards, one of the biggest challenges of the implementation process.

Making Data Real – Weekly Insights

Submitted by on Tue, 01/23/2018 - 14:52

Brian Murrow, an expert on strategy and analytics at IBM, participated in interviews conducted by the Partnership for Public Service as they prepared a series of podcast conversations with pioneers in the use of analytics in the federal government. In a series of guest blog posts over the next few weeks, Brian will share his key takeaways from these interviews. You can also listen to the full interviews yourself if you find yourself wanting to know more.

Lisa Danzig, OMB: Conversations on Using Analytics to Improve Mission Outcomes

Submitted by on Tue, 01/23/2018 - 14:50

Previous to her experience with OMB, Ms. Danzig worked with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and helped develop and lead its acclaimed HUDStat program. Prior to that, she led strategic planning for New York City’s housing programs. She has an MBA and is a former community organizer. She shares her four top tips on creating and using analytics, based on her combined experiences on data and analytics. They include: Tip 1: Choose Smart Goals. Performance management requires a commitment to the continuous improvement of best practices.

Why Isn't Performance Information Being Used?

Submitted by on Tue, 01/23/2018 - 14:49

The initial premise twenty years ago was that if performance information was made readily available, it would be used by agency decision-makers.  That turned out to not be true.  

Background.  A recent GAO study conclude that the “use of performance information has not changed significantly” in surveys of federal managers between 2007 and 2013.  More specifically:

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