"Desperately Seeking a Watchdog"

Submitted by on Wed, 12/20/2017 - 13:53

Today, in an editorial, the New York Times called for a presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed leader of the Government Accountability Office (GAO). Noting that the interim Comptroller General, Gene Dodaro "has served ably," the Times editorial concludes that "without a presidentially appointed and Senate-confirmed leader, the agency lacks the power and validation to pursue its mission to the fullest. Mr. Obama can choose form the names he has been given, or request more.

Open Gov Plans Countdown

Submitted by on Wed, 12/20/2017 - 13:52

Next week, agency Open Government Plans are due to the Office of Management and Budget.

Middle Managers in a Web 2.0 World

Submitted by on Wed, 12/20/2017 - 13:50

Eliminating middle managers was the vogue in 1990s-style reforms. Flatten the organization! After all, it was the middle managers who “sucked the life out of an organization” by filtering information, gatekeeping decisions, and smothering innovation.

But today, we’re beginning to hear praise for middle managers as being the connecting glue and the nodes of cross-organizational networks.

What’s going on here??

But will it work?

Submitted by on Wed, 12/20/2017 - 13:48

The Congress has passed and the President has signed the new health care reform legislation. But, will it work?

Outsourcing – is it a bad word?

Submitted by on Wed, 12/20/2017 - 13:48

Guest blogger: Brenda Decker, IBM Global Government Industry

 

Weekly Roundup: October 30 – November 3, 2017

Submitted by on Wed, 12/20/2017 - 13:38

IT Reforms Create Breathing Room.  NextGov reports: “Obama-era technology modernization programs and legislation are beginning to have a substantial effect freeing up IT budget money, but there’s a long way left to go, industry executives said during a Professional Services Council market forecast Wednesday. . . .

Drivers Transforming Government: Insight

Submitted by on Wed, 12/20/2017 - 13:32

Note:  The IBM Center recently released Seven Drivers Transforming Government, a series of essays exploring key drivers of change in government.  It is based on our research and numerous insights shared by current and former government officials.  This blog is the first in a series of excerpts from each of the seven essays.

5 (not just 4) names to be Comptroller General

Submitted by on Wed, 12/20/2017 - 13:32

On Tuesday, Congressional Democrats sent President Obama a list of four candidates to nominated as the next Comptroller General. The four are Rep. Todd Platts, Linda Bilmes at Harvard's Kennedy School of Government, Acting Comptroller General Gene Dodaro, and former Assistant Comptroller Ira Goldstein. Today Congressional Republicans sent their own letter to the President recommending Stuart Bowen, the special inspector general for Iraq reconstruction.

Congressional Transparency Caucus Formed

Submitted by on Wed, 12/20/2017 - 13:30

Government Executive’s Elizabeth Newell writes that a bipartisan congressional Transparency Caucus has been formed. Led by Republican Representative Darrell Issa (CA) and Democratic Representative Michael Quigley (IL), the Caucus will advocate greater government transparency and provide support and oversight of government efforts.

Modernizing Government: Forum Results

Submitted by on Wed, 12/20/2017 - 13:29

The White House sponsored a forum back in January to gain insights from corporate CEOs and labor leaders to identify best practices in the use of technology to streamline federal operations, improve customer service, and maximize returns on technology investments. It has released a report summarizing the results and commits to following through on a number of recommendations.

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