People

Is agile the answer to government's IT skills deficit?

Steve Kelman argues that DevOps deliverables are easier to evaluate, especially when the evaluators lack technical expertise of their own.

Digital Government

Evidence-based government: It’s not rocket science

Steve Kelman points to some very straightforward examples of measuring the effectiveness of an intervention.

Digital Government

Dispatches from Riyadh

Steve Kelman reports from Saudi Arabia, where he finds fascinating tension as a highly conservative country pushes for modernization.

Modernization

Do we still need systems integrators?

David Eaves argues that any modern IT system should be designed from the outset to talk to other systems.

Digital Government

Elon Musk's next act -- it involves government again!

Steve Kelman urges more people to find inspiration in the large-scale challenges government faces.

Acquisition

What are the real reasons small firms won't sell to the government?

Steve Kelman goes outside the traditional government contractor community for insights into the true barriers to entry.

People

Putting yourself in others’ shoes can help you too!

Steve Kelman suggests that organizational behavior research can have practical (and powerful) applications for federal managers.

People

Hierarchy in organizations: when it helps, when it hurts

Steve Kelman suggests that managers must consider what types of work their teams are really doing.

People

The new Office of American Innovation -- let's give Trump credit

Steve Kelman sees several reasons to be optimistic about the administration's new initiative to spark innovation in government management.

People

The Trump administration has a management agenda!

Steve Kelman digs into the administration's budget blueprint and finds clear signs of continuity for improving government management.

Digital Government

When 'compliance' should be a dirty word

Steve Kelman makes the case that using the word "comply" can have unintended consequences.

Digital Government

Can IGs and agencies agree to a code of conduct?

Steve Kelman argues "The Art of the Deal" offers a possible path to more constructive oversight.

Digital Government

18F: The empire strikes back

Oversight has its place, Steve Kelman writes, but the IG reports focused on 18F almost seem hostile to innovation.

Acquisition

Updates from the procurement innovation front

Steve Kelman checks in on some of his favorite examples of shaking up the government status quo.

Acquisition

After the award: How to make contracts deliver

A recent roundtable discussion found strong consensus that agencies and industry must team up to improve communication, collaboration and trust.

Digital Government

The uncomfortable truth about tech in China

The lack of political and civic freedom is not preventing Chinese firms from producing game-changing IT, Steve Kelman writes. Is it time to rethink our assumptions about innovation?

Acquisition

A new (old) way to fund IT modernization

Steve Kelman suggests that share-in-savings contracting could help agencies solve the funding conundrum and tackle legacy IT.

People

What GS-15s in contracting really think about government acquisition

Steve Kelman sits down with feds in the Harvard Kennedy School's executive education program.

People

Trump's triumph

Steve Kelman suggests the president-elect's brash communication style could prove effective in office as well.