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.

Key National Indicators Are Now Real

Submitted by on Wed, 12/20/2017 - 13:27

Almost three years ago, I blogged on the need for a Key National Indicator System so we, as a nation, could track our progress using data, not diatribe. It’s happened. A provision buried on page 1,489 of the health insurance reform bill makes it real!

Immersive Technology Part II - Augmented Reality

Submitted by on Wed, 12/20/2017 - 13:27

While virtual reality has many applications, which were explored in part one of this series, the potential for virtual reality is bound by the need for a user to be completely immersed in a simulated world. Augmented reality, on the other hand, blends the real world with computer-generated components in a way that the two can seamlessly interact. Augmented reality can move with you and can be accessible to anyone with a smart phone.

Final Four to lead the GAO?

Submitted by on Wed, 12/20/2017 - 13:26

It is looking more and more as if we may soon see a nominee for the position of Comptroller General.   CQ staffer David Clarke is reporting that the Congress will soon forward President Obama four candidates to be CG and lead the Government Accountability Office.

The four names are:

Linda J. Bilmes – currently a professor at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government,

Virtual USA and Web 2.0

Submitted by on Wed, 12/20/2017 - 13:24

I’ve seen a number of intersting mapping applications being developed “on the ground” that engage citizens in a collaborative efforts to provide details about their communities. The most common of these is OpenStreetMap.org, which advertises itself as an editable map of the world.

Implementing the Recovery Act: The Blog

Submitted by on Wed, 12/20/2017 - 13:23

The Recovery Act is quietly influencing federal-state-local relations. Not only is the money being used to save jobs as states and localities cut back their budgets, but the ways states and localities are choosing to use and report on the funds are creating different ways for getting “the business of government” done.

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