Our aim is to produce research and analysis that helps government leaders more effectively respond to their mission and management challenges.The IBM Center is named "The Business of Government" because its focus is the management and operation of government, not the policies of government. Public sector leaders and managers need the best, most practical advice available when it comes to delivering the business of government. We seek to “bridge the gap” between research and practice by helping to stimulate and accelerate the production of actionable research.

President Obama’s Campaign to Cut Waste was launched in June 2011, but it started earlier than that.  It was presaged in his 2011 State of the Union address, when he said the government needed to be reorganized.  While that hasn’t happened yet, there are a number of initiatives federal managers have been inundated with to develop plans and implement. . . . A thousand cuts begin with directives, memos, and orders, so here’s a list from the past year (there are more that go back further!):

And the question was raised none too soon – President Obama that morning issued an executive order, “Promoting Efficient Spending,” directing more cuts in administrative costs, on top of the $2.1 billion already ordered, according to Government Executive.

Relatively few lines of the Affordable Care Act address the burgeoning field of palliative care for the seriously and chronically ill. Palliative care, sometimes confused with hospice care for those in their final six months of life, attempts to balance advanced medical care while relieving suffering and improving quality of life. The Los Angeles Times explores the "promises and pitfalls" facing this relatively young area of medicine in a fascinating report.

Austerity budgets are intimidating to face.  But done right, they can be a lever for needed innovations. Here are two reports that offer similar advice.  One is from an historical perspective; the other is based on ongoing austerity initiatives. Making Smart Cuts.  The Partnership for Public Service released a report with lessons from the 1990s budget cutting era. 

Ms. McGrath leads the Department’s efforts to better synchronize, integrate and coordinate DoD business operations

Here’s one example of what the review found:

In Fiscal Year (FY) 2009, the Government Accountability Office estimates that the government lost close to $110 Billion. In FY 2010, the Office of Management and Budget reports agencies losing $125 Billion. Though staggering, these numbers may not reflect actual taxpayer dollars lost. For example, a payment made before it was due or with an incorrect amount is considered an improper payment.

A Pipe Dream? 

This week, our focus was on key considerations before moving to a virtualized development and test (dev-test) environment.