Analytics/Evaluation
Army, Navy using big data to increase energy savings
Frank Konkel, Federal Computer Week
The Army and Navy are using big data analytics to identify energy savings opportunities in more than 650 worldwide facilities, with a target of making half of all Navy buildings net-zero energy by 2020.

Efficiency/Reorganization
OMB Unveils Best Cost-Cutting Ideas
Tom Shoop, Government Executive
OMB has announced the four finalists in the Obama administration’s annual SAVE Award competition, recognizing federal employees who come up with innovative cost-cutting ideas.
OFPP updates rules for how agencies should analyze ways to lower costs
Jason Miller, Federal News Radio
The Office of Federal Procurement Policy is reinvigorating the concepts of lowering life-cycle costs of programs by analyzing all facets of the approach.

Innovation
Public Sector Innovation Officers: A Growing Trend
Innovategov
Organizations are beginning to appoint innovation officers and institute offices of innovation, innovation centers of excellence, and innovation labs.
With the ‘Needipedia,’ DIA aims to lower barriers for innovators
Nicole Blake Johnson, Federal Times
DIA launched the initiative late last month as a means to express its needs to a larger community of innovators. Individuals, companies and academia can submit ideas and proposals for grants or contracts through an open broad agency announcement, based on DIA’s specific needs. Those needs are articulated on the Needipedia website and replace the traditional request for proposal process.
Six Trends Driving Change in Government: Examples of Agencies Leveraging Change
Dan Chenok, Business of Government
Outlines newly funded studies from the Center for the Business of Government, as well as some examples of agencies who are leading the way forward.
Government by design: Four principles for a better public sector
McKinsey & Company
Making progress on society’s biggest problems requires governments to make better use of data, involve citizens, invest in employees, and collaborate with other sectors.

Open Government
OpenGov: We’re number two!
Federal Computer Week
The United States has the second highest score of any country on the Open Data Barometer.

Strategic Planning
Required Reading: Agency Strategic Plans
John Kamensky, Business of Government
In early 2014, for the first time federal agencies will simultaneously submit refreshed strategic plans to Congress, covering the next four years.