As with each edition, this issue of The Business of Government magazine has as its focus the core mission of the Center—connecting research to practice as a means to improve public management. We do this by bringing together insights and perspectives, blended with an equal measure of practicality and reflection, from an array of government leaders, public managers, thinkers, practitioners, and academics.

Big problems call for big solutions. And so, with the states mired in historically unpleasant fiscal times, many have decided they need to go far beyond Band-Aid solutions in favor of tourniquets and transplants.

This week, Johnny Barnes, our Public Sector Chief Technology Officer, shared details about a tool that has helped many commercial and government users migrate to a consolidated environment – reducing risk, speeding results, and saving money.

This time of year, you can’t avoid the phenomena of list-making. There is a top ten list of good or bad, best and worst, “in” or “out” for everything. While you’re busy making your own lists for 2010, resolutions for 2011, and back up plans for your resolutions, I wanted to share my list of top “must reads” that address the debt and improving Federal mission performance.