IBM Center for The Business of Government

This report provides a case study of how one government agency--the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services--has been mandated by Congress to begin competitive bidding in 2006. The mandated bidding process is a market-based approach to setting payments for the managed-care portion of Medicare. The report describes the basic features of any competitive bidding process, and outlines lessons from three systems of competitively bidding healthcare markets by the U.S.

This report explores how managers create a culture of innovation through a comprehensive case study of Phoenix, Arizona, which has been consistently recognized as the best run city in America. Through interviews with Phoenix’s mayor and department heads in city government, themes are developed on creating a culture of change, encouraging responsible risk-taking, and undertaking public entrepreneurship. The study also provides recommendations for other managers who are focused on change and innovation within their organization. Innovation

This report examines federal agencies that have contracted out large scale programs and evaluates their effectiveness. Privatization or outsourcing of services formerly provided in-house have become strategies used by an increasing number of local and state governments nationwide to lower service delivery costs and/or improve service quality. Contracting

This study documents the creation and implementation of several intergovernmental "communities of practice." It traces the history of these networks and documents their structure, activities and outcomes as well as identifies a number of critical success factors related to these groups. Case studies include: SafeCities, Boost4Kids and 21st Century Skills. fhwaCollaboration: Networks and Partnerships