People

An opening bid on 'acquisition of the future'

Steve Kelman has some advice for the movement to remake government procurement.

Digital Government

Remembering time behind the Berlin Wall

Before he became a procurement expert and management professor, Steve Kelman dabbled in Cold War intrigue. Twenty-five years after the fall of the wall, he recalls the experience.

Acquisition

It's the requirements, stupid...

Steve Kelman argues that the best place to improve federal procurements is at the beginning.

People

Are internships the secret weapon for hiring young talent into government?

Steve Kelman explains how the Pathways Programs offer agencies a fast track to hiring recent graduates.

People

Knowing when to stand your ground

New research suggests that strategies for making good decisions where the choices are complex may be very different from those where the clear answer involves courage.

People

Competition, performance and the proper degree of pressure

Steve Kelman suggests that Harvard's performance culture could offer lessons for federal agencies.

Acquisition

Contract management vs. contract lawyering

Steve Kelman notes that agency managers have options that may not be covered in the legal letter of an agreement.

Digital Government

Tel Aviv dispatch

Steve Kelman takes a break from acquisition and IT to report on his latest travels.

Acquisition

Procurement jujitsu at HHS

Steve Kelman applauds the IDEA Lab experiments -- and explains what it will take to make real changes stick.

People

Collaborating across organizations -- practice makes perfect

Recent research supports what economists have long argued: Sustained collaboration adds real value, but you have to work at it!

Digital Government

Oracle, the CIA and government's role in picking winners

The database giant was effectively launched via agency contracts. That's not a bad thing, Steve Kelman notes, but it begs the question of when government should go beyond basic research and standard procurement.

Digital Government

How social media is changing government management (again)

Steve Kelman finds inspiration in the role Twitter played during India's recent floods.

People

Government tech lessons from the Far East

Steve Kelman notes that Asia may be emerging as a center for government service delivery innovation.

People

A better path to performance management

Steve Kelman shows how tests and metrics can be used to really improve, rather than simply reward and punish.

Digital Government

LinkedIn self-censoring "sensitive" posts about China

Steve Kelman takes issue with western firms' acquiescence to Chinese "prohibitions."

People

The miracle of social trust

You can't believe everything you read, but Steve Kelman argues that good government and a culture of credibility are deeply intertwined.