Performance Management
Avoid Getting Caught in the Quagmire of Key Performance Indicators
Robert Behn, Government Executive
Searching for the ‘best KPI’ is just another substitute for thinking.
Escaping the deficit trap
Donald Kettl, Baltimore Sun
Kettl encourages Governor-elect Hogan to continue Maryland StateStat.

Efficiency/Reorganization
Who Will Be the Next “Mayor of the Pentagon?”
John Kamensky, Business of Government
The selection of the next Secretary of Defense is in the headlines. But there’s a new senior-level Defense position that will be important in coming years, and who is appointed will matter.
DoD’s ‘vertical integration,’ effort to further pare administrative costs
Jared Serbu, Federal News Radio
Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work thinks DOD can find more efficiencies by carefully examining business operations as an integrated whole, rather than simply giving each principal staff agent another arbitrary savings target they must meet.

Innovation
‘Paying for Results’ at a tipping point?
Steve Kelman, Federal Computer Week
Kelman showcases a new report that shows just how widespread outcome-oriented contracting has become.
Challenges and prizes: Procurement vehicle of the future?
Colby Hochmuth, Federal Computer Week
How NASA and other agencies are using contests to bring better ideas into acquisition.

Open Government
White House crowdsources open-government playbook
Emily Kopp, Federal News Radio
The Obama administration is “walking the walk” on government transparency by asking the public to help write a guide for agencies on ways to engage the public.