Performance Management
Are Agencies Using Performance Info to Make Decisions?
John Kamensky, Government Executive’
Results are mixed, but reviews are boosting collaboration.
‘Data-driven reviews’ and agency performance
Steve Kelman, Federal Computer Week
The author takes heart that so many agency heads are leading “STAT”-style meetings.
Will New Regs Trigger Better Executive Performance?
Howard Risher, Government Executive
The focus is on public policy issues, not day-to-day management.

Analytics/Evaluation
Lots of data, lots of fears
Zach Noble, Federal Computer Week
A new survey shows many federal leaders are worried they don’t have what it takes to effectively tackle big data projects.

Customer Service
Enterprise Government: How the Next Administration Can Better Serve Citizens (Part One)
Dan Chenok and Alan Howze, Business of Government
Many priorities won’t line up neatly with the agency structure of the federal government, and achieving them will require that agencies work together as an “enterprise government” — collaborating and integrating programs and activities to achieve common goals and objectives.
Data and the Opportunity to Rethink Human Services
B.J. Walker and Tiffany Dovey Fishman, Governing
Bringing new technology and analytics to bear is critical for transformational outcomes.

Innovation
Challenge.gov keeps eyes on the prize
Mark Rockwell, Federal Computer Week
At age 5, Challenge.gov is opening doors to the federal market for problem solvers, but it may never be a vehicle for large-scale IT projects.
White House Renews Bet on the Creativity of the Crowd
Mohana Ravindranath, Nextgov
Five years after unveiling Challenge.gov, the White House is ramping up its investment in the ingenuity of everyday citizens.
White House Plans to Grow U.S. Digital Services, 18F in 2016
Jason Shueh, Government Technology
White House Senior Adviser and former U.S. CTO Todd Park reports that despite potential funding cuts, staff at the two agencies will reach 500 by the end of 2016.
Using behavioral insights to improve government performance: An interview with Maya Shankar, Chair, White House Social and Behavioral Science Team
Andy Feldman, Gov Innovator Podcast
the White House Social and Behavioral Sciences Team has released its first annual report that details the results of 15 different projects to apply insights from behavioral sciences to improve program outcomes.

Open Government
What Are the DATA Act’s Implications for Federal Agencies?
Jeff Adams, Business of Government
A new law passed in 2014 requires substantial changes in how federal agencies track and report their spending. The first step is standardizing reporting of financial data, which is underway, but more is coming – with a deadline of May 2017 for full compliance.