People

Note to government: Start talking like everybody else!

Steve Kelman takes issue with jargon that serves mainly to create artificial distinctions from the private sector.

People

A civic tech summer fellow becomes a full-time fed

Steve Kelman reports that Coding it Forward is turning temporary college-break postings into longer-term public service commitments.

Acquisition

How contracting officers want to use the new micropurchase threshold

Steve Kelman's recent talk with feds reinforced his view that a $10,000 micropurchase limit opens up vast new acquisition possibilities.

Digital Government

A government contractor crosses over to USDS

Steve Kelman reports on what prompted Kelly O'Connor to take an rather unusual career turn.

Acquisition

Steve's peeve about a common contracting phrase

When it comes to discussion of government contracts, Steve Kelman contends that "the L word" comes up far too often.

Digital Government

Will civic tech save government from its tech talent crisis?

Students drawn to digital government are bringing desperately needed skills (and enthusiasm) to agencies that are willing to engage, Steve Kelman writes.

People

Project management vs. product management

Steve Kelman argues that government innovation needs more of the latter.

People

Employee empowerment and improved performance: The missing link

It has long been assumed that empowering employees can boost an organization's performance, Steve Kelman notes, but new research finally delivers the data to prove it.

People

Should federal contracting be more like Airbnb?

Steve Kelman believes a lighter touch and a bit more trust could transform today's compliance culture.

Digital Government

Is the federal tech community fed up with Trump?

After the president's provocative appearance with Russia's Vladimir Putin, Steve Kelman finds that some measured, establishment IT leaders are speaking out.

Acquisition

The rise of the microconsultants

Steve Kelman reports that changes to the micropurchase threshold have opened the door to buying services by government credit card -- and predicts that the impact could be huge.

People

How can we motivate feds without monetary incentives?

Are there ways to motivate employees to work harder and perform better other than through monetary incentives?

Digital Government

Agile at DOD -- going beyond sticky notes and standing meetings

Steve Kelman reports on how the military is applying agile and DevOps to Pentagon-scale projects.

Digital Government

Code for America, civic tech and DOD

Defense Department digital experts were invited to speak at the recent CfA Summit, and some attendees took offense. Steve Kelman argues that civic tech should embrace such debates.

Digital Government

A new government digital services playbook

Steve Kelman applauds another effort to share knowledge across the contractor community.

Digital Government

China's new challenges to the U.S.

In technology, politics, economics and ideology, the U.S.-China tensions are growing.

Digital Government

How Harvard is helping government do digital better

Steve Kelman reports on the results of a project-based Kennedy School course on public-sector innovation.

Digital Government

USDS in action

Steve Kelman digs into the actual mechanics of a U.S. Digital Service team's partnership with a particular agency.

Acquisition

Striking a blow for agile with DOD weapons systems

If the Defense Department truly embraces agile, Steve Kelman argues, it would be a critical and much-needed tipping point for government innovation.