Connecting research to practice, applying scholarship to real world issues and decisions for government
Reports
Over the past several years, governments, communities, and their partners have faced a widening range of disruptions—from severe weather and infrastructure failures to supply chain breakdowns, cybersecurity threats, and geopolitical instability. Each has reinforced the same lesson: resilience depends on the ability to make timely, informed decisions under uncertain conditions.
This report addresses how the government can best implement two statutes—the Government Service Delivery Improvement Act of 2025 and the 21st Century Integrated Digital Experience Act of 2018. These laws have raised expectations for accessible, measurable, user-centered services. The report explains how agencies can meet those expectations in practice within existing resources.
A major challenge for government in serving the public raises this question: how can agencies organized around programs engage with people whose needs are organized around their lives? A new parent seeking health coverage, food assistance, and job-protected leave may need to work with five federal agencies, each with its own forms and rules and often its own state or local partner. A disaster survivor may describe the same damage on multiple applications. As the report notes, a new parent can have up to 17 different agency touchpoints.
Federal supply chains underpin nearly every aspect of government operations. From defense systems and medical supplies to microelectronics and diplomatic security equipment, the federal government depends on a complex, layered network of suppliers, manufacturers, and logistics providers to carry out its missions. When that network is disrupted, whether due to geopolitical tensions, cyberattacks, natural disasters, or gaps in visibility and planning, the consequences can range from operational delays to failures with significant national security implications.
Podcasts
Hosted by Michael J. Keegan, The Business of Government Hour features a conversation with government executives and thought leaders who are changing the way government does business. Over 600 government executives have been interviewed about their careers, agency accomplishments and management, and the future of government in the 21st century.
Blog
A range of voices from the Center, academe, and IBM business practitioners examine issues facing public managers as they work to accomplish their missions. The blog looks at the current administration priorities and challenges of performance and collaboration in the workplace.
Rethinking Federal Acquisition: Insights from a Conversation With Leaders
Efficiency in Action: Insights on Better Service for the Public from Government Modernization
From Data to Decisions Building Resilient, Inclusive, and Risk-Aware Procurement Systems
Performance Management: A Multi-Pronged Approach
Executive Director's Corner
The Center recently released three new reports on customer experience. Learn more!
Efficiency in Action: Revolutionizing Government Service Delivery
Making Government Work for People: Putting Life Experiences at the Center of Policy and Service Delivery
The Prerequisite: Human-Centered Design as Infrastructure for Government Service Delivery
Our report library includes topics such as AI, supply chain, quantum, agile, acquisition, and more.
