Let’s Get Organized! Implementing a New Program Management Law

Congress recognized the governmentwide shortage of program management talent and leadership commitment in 2016 when it passed the Program Management Improvement and Accountability Act (PMIAA). Two years after its passage, slow but steady progress is being made to implement not only the law’s requirements but also its underlying intent – to improve the government’s ability to manage large and complex programs.

Managing Programs: More Complex Than It Seems

A 2015 study by the National Academy of Public Administration reinforces GAO’s concerns, concluding that “institutionalizing the discipline of program management across the federal government should be a top priority.”  This included creating an integrated approach to program management, creating a professional community and voice among program managers, and greater clarity in their roles and responsibilities. But what is the best approach for doing this?

 

Bruce T. Barkley, Sr.

Bruce T. Barkley, Sr. was a charter member of the federal Senior Executive Service (SES). He retired from the federal government and taught public administration and program management at the Keller Graduate School of Management in Atlanta, Georgia. Mr. Barkley held a variety of positions in government. Prior to his retirement, he served as Director, Office of Management Systems and Evaluation, United States Environmental Protection Agency.

Weekly Roundup: June 8 - 12, 2015

DATA Act Implementation Status. FedScoop sums up interviews with Treasury and OMB staff regarding the progress and upcoming deadlines for the implementation of the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act. Federal Computer Week shares the enthusiasm of participants at a recent conference on the implementation of the DATA Act. Evolution of Federal Chief Operating Officers. Federal News Radio says a new report on the evolving role of agency chief operating officers, by the Partnership for Public Service, examines their challenges and priorities.

Buying IT, Part 2: It’s the People

The IT Reform policies announced by OMB Deputy Director Jeffrey Zients and Federal CIO Vivek Kundra two weeks ago continue to have an impact on the IT community and beyond.  Their strategy drew in good measure from government and industry recommendations, one of the most prominent of which was a study by the TechAmerica Foundation, entitled “Government Technology Opportunity in the 21st Century” (www.techamericafoundation/gto21) (I served as an advisor to the Commission). 

Announcing the Center’s Newest Research Report Topics

We are pleased to announce our latest round of awards for new reports on key public sector challenges, which respond to priorities identified in the Center's research agenda. Our content is intended to stimulate and accelerate the production of practical research that benefits public sector leaders and managers.

We expect the following reports to be published in early 2018. Short summaries of each report follow.

Modernizing Government IT  by Dr. Gregory S. Dawson, Arizona State University

Making Government’s Massive Programs Work: Now It’s the Law

Co-Author: Roger Kodat, Project Director, National Academy of Public Administration

In addition to managing ongoing programs, the federal government increasingly is called upon to undertake large, complex initiatives and to adapt and improve existing programs in a rapidly changing environment.