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.

Acquisition

A smoking gun for government contracting -- will it be in Trump's crosshairs?

Steve Kelman suggests that satellite launches hold a lesson -- and a warning -- for the future of IT acquisition.

People

Procurement policy and the transition sweepstakes

While would-be Trump officials are lobbying for jobs, Steve Kelman makes the case for some fundamental policy priorities.

People

Will Trump make acquisition great again?

Steve Kelman sees signs for optimism in some of the president-elect's pronouncements.

Acquisition

Donald Trump and federal procurement: Who woulda thunk it?

Steve Kelman notes that acquisition issues have surfaced twice already for the next administration.

Digital Government

An eye-opening visit to a citizen service center in China

It's easy to assume the United States is leading the way on digitally serving the citizen. Steve Kelman argues that confidence is misplaced.

People

Donald Trump's management agenda?

Steve Kelman looks for clues (and raises concerns) about how the next administration might run.

Digital Government

What Dorothy's ruby slippers say about government management

Steve Kelman argues that the Smithsonian's proposed $300,000 restoration of the shoes Judy Garland wore in "The Wizard of Oz" reflects the same mentality that produces over-engineered government IT projects.