Performance Management
HR’s Crucial Role in Boosting Government’s Performance
Howard Risher, Governing
HR is the logical home for people-management expertise. We need to re-define its function.

Analytics/Evaluation
Trump Budget’s Blessing of Program Evidence Could Cut Two Ways
Charles Clark, Government Executive
Program evaluation specialists welcome effort but some worry it could simply be used to justify cuts.
Bipartisanship? It may be possible thanks to this little-known group
Sandy Davis and William Hoagland, The Hill
The work of a little-known federal commission may hold the key to more effective policymaking.
How Policymakers Prioritize Evidence-Based Programs Through Law
Pew-Macarthur Results First Initiative
Lessons from Washington, Tennessee, and Oregon.
The importance of replication and validation in evidence-based policy: An interview with Tammy Chang, U.S. Treasury Department, and Nathanial Higgins, formerly U.S. Social and Behavioral Sciences Team
Andy Feldman, GovInnovator Podcast
Two real-life stories from the front lines of government performance improvement efforts that highlight the importance of replication and validation in evidence-based policy.

Collaboration
Building Real Collaboration into Your Organization
Pratichi Shah, Stanford Social Innovation Review
How focusing on the three organizational pillars of culture, people, and leadership can help fuel meaningful collaboration.

Innovation
GSA Hackathon Sought Tangible AI Solutions for Making Government Data Accessible via ‘Personal Assistant’
Theo Douglas, Government Technology
Many agencies in attendance gave overviews of what types of public data they have, how those are accessed and in what format they exist — focusing on frequently requested information ranging from student loan qualifications to parks information to applying for a passport.
Optimizing Government Performance: Tips from the Trenches
Noelle Knell and Elaine Pittman, Government Technology
Lessons learned on data-driven decision-making and creating a culture of innovation.
Forcing culture change at DOD
Sean D. Carberry, Federal Computer Week
Study after study has argued that the Department of Defense is risk averse and unable to rapidly adapt to changing technology. One former official says it’s time to use force to change innovation culture at the Pentagon.

Leadership
Leadership Matters, But Government Has a Deeper Problem
Ronald Sanders and Terry Gerton, Government Executive
Federal management systems are in dire need of an overhaul.

Reorganization
Risk and Trump’s Reorganization Order
Linda Miller, Government Executive
The mandate for reform represents an opportunity for agency leaders.