People

This could be the start of something big

Steve Kelman discusses research that shows just how important early management choices can be.

Digital Government

Can social media make every civil servant an innovator?

Steve Kelman notes two examples where social media and big data are hinting at big wins for relatively little hassle.

Digital Government

2 1/2 cheers for GSA, Donald Trump and the Old Post Office

Steve Kelman reflects on what the development deal says about procurement and politics.

People

Media life and real life

Steve Kelman reports on some public servants who are unlikely to make the papers.

Digital Government

Benevolent government data mining, or Big Brother?

Steve Kelman suggests that fast-improving analytics can raise some interesting questions.

Digital Government

VA waiting lists and performance measurement

Steve Kelman argues that allegations about secret wait lists at the VA are a sign of performance management's power, not its problems.

People

Mixing business with a procurement law degree

Steve Kelman applauds a new program at GWU -- and offers some suggestions for improving it.

Acquisition

Developing a course on procurement management -- seeking advice!

Steve Kelman notes the severe lack of research on government procurement, and is looking for the gaps that most need to be filled.

Acquisition

FAR Part 1: 'If it's not prohibited, it's allowed'

Steve Kelman reflects on what could be the most important sentence in the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

People

Civil service needs stories of everyday heroes

Steve Kelman suggests there are plenty of feds going above and beyond -- we simply need to put them in the spotlight.

Digital Government

Another amazing crowdsourcing app shakes up the world

GiveDirectly employs a simple idea – giving money directly to poor people – and uses technology to facilitate the transaction.

People

Managing (and working) in a global context

Even the most insular federal employees should be mindful of other cultural norms, Steve Kelman argues. Here's a book to help.

Acquisition

How can we improve the use of past performance in contracting?

Steve Kelman responds to Jaime Gracia's comments on problems with the current system.

Acquisition

Debacle or triumph: The deciding factors

Steve Kelman looks at four fundamental factors that can determine whether a large-scale IT project fails or flourishes.

Digital Government

Don't call it derivative!

Steve Kelman contemplates a new Shanghai restaurant that serves "American-style" Chinese food.

Digital Government

The latest in Chinese IT

Steve Kelman reports that Chinese firms are advancing beyond knockoffs to produce real innovations.

Digital Government

A somewhat revealing rubber stamp

Steve Kelman suggests that interesting signals can be gleaned from China's "two session" proceedings.

Acquisition

What McCaskill is missing about past performance data

A punishment-only approach is bad psychology and bad management, even if it may be good politics.

People

'Evidence-based government' and the FY 2015 budget

Steve Kelman contends the best part of the president's budget may be its efforts to measure and reward programs that work.