ASPA Center for Accountability & Performance

Analytics/Evaluation
Tech officials huddle to implement new data laws
Mark Rockwell, Federal Computer Week
Agency tech officials meet with the Office of Management and Budget to decide how new data laws fit into their efforts under the President’s Management Agenda.
Can agencies implement evidence-based policymaking without more money?
Chase Gunter, Federal Computer Week
Evidence-based policymaking has been touted as a management priority, but the White House’s 2020 budget requests no funds for the mandate, making early steps difficult for agencies.
A Permanent Place for Data Analytics
Stephen Goldsmith, Governing
In codifying its innovative operation into law, New York City has provided a useful guide for other localities.
Agencies Can Do Better by Collecting Data with Purpose
Brandi Vincent, Nextgov
There’s a difference between having data and having useful data, federal officials said.
What’s Next for Government Data
Nextgov
Here’s how federal agencies are tapping into one of their greatest resources.

Management
The President’s Management Agenda Turns One
Terry Gerton and Alan P. Balutis, Government Executive
The National Academy of Public Administration has released a series of essays with perspectives on how the President’s management agenda compares to its predecessors and what the administration might do in the coming years to ensure its sustained progress.
Government, universities launch regional ‘hubs’ to build stronger talent pipeline
Nicole Ogrysko, Federal News Network
In effort to build a better talent pipeline and foster more collaborative, working relationships between government and universities, the Volcker Alliance has announced the creation of two “government-to-university” councils in Kansas City, Missouri, and Austin, Texas.

Reorganization
Trump Administration Outlines How the OPM-GSA Merger Would Work
Erich Wagner, Government Executive
The White House plans to move the portions it can transfer administratively this year, while retirement and health care offices will have to wait until 2020 and for legislation.
DOD slow-walking reorg, watchdog says
Lauren Williams, Federal Computer Week
GAO found that the Defense Department lacked a proper analysis and transition plan to move certain duties from the CIO to the chief management officer.

Performance Management
How Data Can Drive Performance for Social Services
John Kamensky, Governing
A Colorado agency is using the approach in an unusual way: to orchestrate the efforts of service-delivery partners.

Analytics/Evaluation
Labor Department Creates Chief Data Officer Position
Frank Konkel, Nextgov
In addition to a CDO, the agency will establish a data board—both in accordance with the OPEN Government Data Act.
Agencies Need to Move Beyond “People” Analytics to “Relational” Analytics
John Kamensky, Government Executive
A new study suggests how a change in focus could improve organizations’ performance.

Innovation
Need out-of-the-box ideas? Look beyond your experts
Steve Kelman, Federal Computer Week
Subject-matter expertise is important, Steve Kelman writes, but don’t underestimate the value of fresh perspectives.
GSA releases RFQ for Centers of Excellence model to ‘deliver results far more easily’
Jory Heckman, Federal News Network
The GSA has released a request for quotation for Phase One of its Center of Excellence discovery services, laying the groundwork for GSA to set up CoEs at new partner agencies.
GSA Chief: Leadership Must Protect Workforce to Drive Innovation
Brandi Vincent, Nextgov
Things can go wrong when employees are taking risks. That’s where senior officials step up.

Reorganization/Reform
Nine Major Agency Reform Proposals in Trump’s 2020 Budget
Eric Katz, Government Executive
Hiring surges, eliminated offices and more in the White House’s latest budget blueprint.

Analytics/Evaluation
Census’ Big Data Innovation Program Infects HHS with Promising Results
Aaron Boyd, Nextgov
Officials at HHS took an idea from their colleagues at Census to use big data and public-private collaboration to design systems that can save lives.
Creating a data-first culture at federal agencies
Josh Parenteau, Federal Computer Week
Agencies need to emphasize the connection between analytics and outcomes.
Why States Need a Data Officers Leadership Network
Tyler Kleykamp, Government Technology
In a short period of time, the number of state chief data officers has exploded and it’s why a new network has formed to support their distinct challenges and opportunities with managing and using data.

Innovation
Trump administration to focus on data as an IT enabler
Jessie Bur, Federal Times
The federal government will need to ensure that it has reliable, accessible data sources in order to pursue more modern technological advancements, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Here’s one sign the federal workforce is game for OMB’s automation, AI push
Nicole Ogyrsko, Federal News Network
The administration said it sees 2019 as the year to establish familiarity with the federal workforce that it’s up to the task of deploying artificial intelligence, robotics and other new technology.
Defense Dominates Experiment in Streamlined Bidding for Innovation
Anne Laurent, Government Executive
Civilian agencies are missing an opportunity.

Risk Management
GAO ticks DoD supply chain management, weather satellite data gaps off high-risk list
Jory Heckman, Federal News Network
GAO has taken two items off its high-risk list, a governmentwide inventory of programs that put agencies on-notice about major threats of fraud, waste, abuse and mismanagement.

Management
OPM wants agencies to start gameplanning the modern workforce
Carten Cordell, FedScoop
Acting OPM director Margaret Weichert directed federal agencies to start thinking about the future of work in this year’s Human Capital Reports.
OPM Wants Agencies to Show Their Work on Management Agenda Tech and Data Goals
Aaron Boyd, Nextgov
Annual human capital reviews are coming and agencies have to show progress meeting the administration’s workforce, tech and data priorities.
Agencies In the Dark About Performance of Their Grants, Survey Shows
Charles Clark, Government Executive
Funding uncertainty, administrative burden on recipients continue as challenges.

Open Government
For government to capitalize on its data, officials say it should be user-friendly
Carten Cordell, FedScoop
Recent laws have strengthened the government’s data transparency, but the true utility of agencies’ information lies in its ability to be shared and used.
White House hints at Federal Data Strategy, OPEN Govt Data Act, in open-government strategy
Jory Heckman, Federal News Network
The Trump administration released its first — but the U.S. government’s fourth — National Action Plan for Open Government.
New open government plan doubles down on old priorities
Jessie Bur, Federal Times
The Trump administration’s first official open government policy includes eight primary initiatives to increase federal transparency.
Where Are the Stories About Government’s Vital Work?
John Kamensky, Government Executive
Agencies need to do a better job of explaining what they do and why it matters.

Management
Federal government’s employer brand is in trouble
Jeff Neal, Federal News Network
Employer branding is one of the chief battlefields in the fight for talent. The government is not well-positioned for that fight.
Army begins study to change its talent management system to fit the future
Scott Maucione, Federal News Network
The Army is undertaking a sweeping study of its talent management system to improve its ability to recruit, retain and advance its talent.

Analytics/Evaluation
The New Practice of Public Problem Solving
Tara McGuinness and Anne-Marie Slaughter, Stanford Social Innovation Review
A new class of innovators is advancing the public good by figuring out what people actually need and then testing, improving, and scaling solutions that may already be out there. Here are the four elements of their method.
Data-Driven Government: The Role of Chief Data Officers
Jane Wiseman, IBM Center for the Business of Government
This report focuses on the expanding use of data at the federal level and how to best manage it.

Efficiency
How the Government Could Successfully Leverage Its Buying Power
John Kamensky, Government Executive
The UK offers some insight for achieving this decades-long quest.

Innovation
Creating space for innovation
Troy Schneider, Federal Computer Week
True innovation requires the right people, the proper mix of technologies and a critical grasp of customers’ needs and expectations.