Designing and Implementing Performance-Oriented Payband Systems

Submitted by on Thu, 03/12/2009 - 20:00

According to Professor Thompson, there is widespread agreement among those who have examined compensation practices in the federal government that the approach embodied by the traditional General Schedule is obsolete. A common complaint is that the system is too rigid and that the 15-grade structure induces excessive attention to minor distinctions in duties and responsibilities. Another concern is that pay increases are granted largely on the basis of longevity rather than performance.

Transforming Federal Property Management: A Case for Public-Private Partnerships

Submitted by on Thu, 03/12/2009 - 20:00

Professor Long’s report considers the potential for public-private partnerships as a response to federal property management issues. This report focuses on the major property-related issues and the author assesses how public-private partnerships (PPP) might be used to resolve problems such as excess and underutilized property, deteriorating facilities, and reliance on costly leasing. All these issues pose significant challenges to federal property management. The use of PPPs has the potential to effectively respond to these challenges.

The Management of Regulation Development: Out of the Shadows

Submitted by on Thu, 03/12/2009 - 20:00

In most federal mission areas-from low-income housing to food safety to higher education assistance-national goals are achieved through the use of various policy tools, such as direct spending, grants, loans and loan guarantees, insurance, tax preferences, and regulations. Although policy tools have proliferated in recent decades, knowledge of how to design and manage the federal policy tool set has not kept pace.

The Blogging Revolution: Government in the Age of Web 2.0

Submitted by on Thu, 03/12/2009 - 20:00

Dr. Wyld examines the phenomenon of blogging in the context of the larger revolutionary forces at play in the development of the second-generation Internet, where interactivity among users is key. This is also referred to as "Web 2.0." Wyld observes that blogging is growing as a tool for promoting not only online engagement of citizens and public servants, but also offline engagement. He describes blogging activities by members of Congress, governors, city mayors, and police and fire departments in which they engage directly with the public.

Can Governments Create Universal Internet Access? The Philadelphia Municipal Wireless Network Story

Submitted by on Thu, 03/12/2009 - 20:00

A confluence of factors has recently made municipal wireless networks (MWNs) an increasingly feasible and attractive option for municipal governments seeking to promote more equitable and universal access to the Internet within their communities. To provide a better understanding of this approach, this report describes the drivers and inhibitors to MWNs. These insights are based on a case study of the development of the Philadelphia municipal wireless network, illustrating the practical application of the MWN concept and specific lessons learned from the Philadelphia experience.

Bridging the Digital Divide for Hard-to-Reach Groups

Submitted by on Thu, 03/12/2009 - 20:00

Boeltzig and Pilling identified specific groups of people who typically are not connected to the Internet and examined the circumstances of each - rural, poor, disabled, seniors, and ethnic minorities. They focused on how these groups of people, such as homebound individuals, could benefit most from using online government services. They also identified technical as well as social barriers that limit access. Their recommendations are aimed at both increasing access for these targeted groups and increasing use by individuals in the targeted groups.

The Philadelphia SchoolStat Model

Submitted by on Thu, 03/12/2009 - 20:00

Philadelphia’s SchoolStat is a case study of the adaptation of a successful management model, CompStat, developed over a decade ago by new York City’s Police Department. The model has since been adapted by various city agencies in new York; by cities, such as Baltimore’s CitiStat; and by some state governments, such as Maryland’s new StateStat. The School District of Philadelphia is one of the most prominent early efforts to adapt this model to improving the management and performance of schools.

Benchmarking Procurement Practices in Higher Education

Submitted by on Thu, 03/12/2009 - 20:00

This report focuses on the procurement function within higher education. Since universities are spending billions of dollars on a range of goods and services, it seemed prudent to conduct a benchmarking study of procurement practices across a broad range of colleges and universities. This study seeks to uncover leading practices that colleges and universities across the nation, as well as other nonprofit organizations, may consider adopting as they wrestle with common financial challenges.

Improving Service Delivery in Government with Lean Six Sigma

Submitted by on Thu, 03/12/2009 - 20:00

Since the passage of the government Performance and Results Act of 1993, there has been increased interest in the federal government on improving service delivery and delivering results. Dr. Maleyeff’s report is a comprehensive review of how public sector managers can use Lean Six Sigma to improve the execution and delivery of results. Dr.

Managing for Better Performance: Enhancing Federal Performance Management Practices

Submitted by on Thu, 03/12/2009 - 20:00

This report reviews the history of performance management efforts within the federal government and discusses the successes, challenges, and failures over the years. In addition, the report offers insights from other performance management experiences in both public and private sector organizations. The authors describe differences between private and public sector performance management practices, as well as present a comparative analysis of corporate and non-corporate use of good management practices.

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