Ideas

Budget for All: What a Way to Celebrate the Holidays

Congress passed its whole-of-government funding package just before the end of the year.

Digital Government

Leveraging emerging technologies to transform the citizen experience

To effectively deliver a 21st century experience, agencies must prioritize modernizing digital call centers with these emerging technologies.

People

The government reorganization plan: There may be a pony in there after all

Attention and criticism have focused on the proposed org-chart changes, Alan Balutis notes, but the real opportunities lie elsewhere.

People

Reorganizing government: Lessons for rightsizing and downsizing

With agency reorganization plans due this month, Alan Balutis offers nine reminders for executives who will shape the change.

People

A hollow administration?

Hundreds of top agency positions remain unfilled in the Trump administration, but maybe some should stay that way.

People

A modest proposal to improve government IT

Alan Balutis and Don Upson debate the wisdom of a cabinet-level IT shop -- and a thorough reorganization of about a dozen other agencies.

Modernization

The CIO and government IT

Two longtime federal IT leaders discuss the pros and cons of elevating agency CIOs in the executive branch power structure.

Digital Government

Independence, accountability and the Office of Inspector General

Two longtime federal IT leaders explore the balancing act required to maximize IGs' effectiveness.

People

Government's unending saga of management reform

The problem with President Trump's management agenda is not its particulars -- it's that we've been talking about the same changes for decades.

People

Donald Trump's management agenda

The president-elect has hinted at his management priorities. Alan Balutis pulls all those clues into one place.

Modernization

There’s still hope for IT modernization funding

There is more than one way to pay for modernization efforts at federal agencies.

People

Let's make government great again -- and start by cleaning house

Alan Balutis argues that the next administration must be bold in modernizing the management agenda.

Digital Government

Wish they all could be... (Part II)

How can the innovation culture of Silicon Valley help government technology? Two experts count the ways.

People

Wish they all could be...

The administration is right to be building bridges with the tech community. But there's talent to be found outside California.

People

Why Congress should look back before charging ahead

FITARA has the potential to force real change, Alan Balutis writes -- but not if legislators take their eyes off the ball on implementation.

People

It's too soon to abandon CIOs

Alan Balutis argues we should let CIOs perform as the Clinger-Cohen Act intended before reinventing the role yet again.

Digital Government

8 predictions to put on your calendar

Cisco's Alan Balutis shares his thoughts on what will happen in the coming year.

Digital Government

How IT reform could still pass Congress this year

Precious little time is left for legislative action, but Alan Balutis explains why FITARA and other reform efforts still have a chance.

Modernization

Don't throw me into the savings tar pit

Alan Balutis warns that IT cost savings rarely work out as planned.