People
How agencies can get the inside scoop on wasteful programs
The federal government should tap into the wisdom of feds to identify activities that are ripe for termination, writes Steve Kelman.
Acquisition
How mushy mangoes can enlighten acquisition employees
Without a robust past-performance system, a lot of the incentive for better vendor performance disappears, writes columnist Steve Kelman.
Acquisition
How to make reverse auctions even better
Steve Kelman advises FedBid on how to enhance the value of its reverse auction service.
People
Use goals to motivate employees
Managers should embrace performance measurement as a way to improve their organizations from the inside, writes Steve Kelman.
Acquisition
Spread this around: Fresh ideas from the front lines of contracting
Steve Kelman and a group of contracting official present a number of ideas that could be used elsewhere in the government.
People
The dangers of a 'colorblind' workplace
Efforts to ignore racial differences in the workplace can make it harder for people to work together, writes Steve Kelman.
Acquisition
Can we radically improve service contract management?
Steve Kelman proposes an experiment to test ideas for improving service contracts.
People
The dynamics of taking blame in the workplace
A researcher shares with Steve Kelman some findings on what happens to people who take blame for problems in the workplace.
Digital Government
Break down walls for better management
Agencies could learn from hospitals' efforts to improve patient outcomes by improving coordination among medical services.
Digital Government
A Facebook scam that almost caught me
Columnist Steve Kelman comes close to falling for a Facebook scam.
People
5 top management priorities for 2011
Columnist Steve Kelman identifies the Obama administration's best options for improving the management of government programs and operations.
People
How political appointees undermine large IT programs -- and how to turn the tide
FCW columnist Steve Kelman proposes creating an awards program to recognize political appointees who maintain the momentum of existing programs.
People
Accountability, transparency and their unintended consequences
Organizations that emphasize accountability and transparency often find it difficult to improve performance, writes blogger Steve Kelman.
Digital Government
The Disney Store approach to cutting the federal deficit
A retail business based on agency logo merchandise could make a modest dent in the federal deficit, writes Steve Kelman.
People
Do program managers belong in program offices, or in IT shops?"
Should program managers--the professionals who are best-suited to provide a results-oriented, front-line perspective on the features of the system as it is developed and released--work with program offices, or in IT shops? Blogger Steve Kelman ponders the question.
Digital Government
Winning the immigration lottery -- literally
Blogger Steve Kelman is impressed with a U.S. immigration policy that draws qualified applicants from all over the world.
Acquisition
Technical knowledge and government IT professionals: An oxymoron?
Do government IT pros have the expertise to know a good technical idea when the see it? And, even more importantly, can they distinguish between suggestions that are self-serving from those that are in an agency's interest?
Acquisition
More debate about pre-RFP talks between government, industry
Blogger Steve Kelman responds to comments he received on a recent blog post about the sensitive nature of government-industry communications.
People
Improving federal IT acquisitions
Blogger Steve Kelman contends vendors should make experts available to provide comments or suggestions on technical or contracting strategy issues during the contract bidding process.
People