Preparing for Disasters

This report includes two essays reflecting different perspectives on preparing for and working in large-scale emergencies.

The Role of Chief Acquisition Officers: What Should They Be Doing?

The Service Acquisition Reform Act (SARA) Legislation of 2003 (41 U.S.C. 414) established new positions of Chief Acquisition Officers to oversee Federal civilian agency acquisition operations. The expectation was that the CAO would be highly placed in the agency, advising the agency head on business strategy and focusing on acquisition in the broadest sense of the term. Many would argue that the CAO position has not lived up to its promise.

Government in 3D: How Public Leaders Can Draw on Virtual Worlds

This report is an example of how Web 2.0's "teen toys" have become a serious work tool. It explores how cutting-edge government organizations are using 3-dimensional virtual worlds on the Internet to conduct training, recruit new employees, and educate the public. It also provides a guide to how virtual worlds have become a fast-growing social phenomenon that believe that, by the end of 2011, fully 80 percent of all active internet users will be participating in 3-D virtual worlds.

What the Federal Government Can Do to Encourage Green Production

The green movement has reached a tipping point in recent years. Private industry now realizes that using green production techniques not only improves the environment but also can provide significant financial benefits by reducing waste, regulatory costs, and potential long-term liabilities. This report identifies six factors that currently discourage industry from undertaking green production methods.

Four Strategies to Transform State Governance

Historically, transforming state government meant restructuring or reorganizing the executive branch or a single agency. However, these approaches are no longer seen as effective. State government must become more flexible and responsive to the rapidly changing environment in which they operate. The four transformation strategies recommended in this report can be acted upon in a relatively short period of time without investing a great deal of additional resources and without partisan debates.

Biometrics: Enhancing Security in Organizations

This report evaluates the use of biometrics in governmental organizations as well as the private sector. It makes recommendations on how biometrics can be implemented effectively. A key lesson is that organizations need to develop a clear business case that explains the need for biometrics. Technology and E-Government

Corporate Strategic Planning in Government: Lessons from the United States Air Force

This report analyzees and evaluates corporate strategic planning employed by the United States Air Force. The study covers the legacy left by the inception of corporate strategic planning in the Air Force in 1994 and identifies how the current leaders are adapting to the dynamic world. Strategic Thinking

Contracting for the 21st Century: A Partnership Model

This report examines federal agencies that have contracted out large scale programs and evaluates their effectiveness. Privatization or outsourcing of services formerly provided in-house have become strategies used by an increasing number of local and state governments nationwide to lower service delivery costs and/or improve service quality. Contracting

Competitive Sourcing: What Happens to Federal Employees?

By examining all A-76 competitions conducted by the Department of Defense from 1994 through the first quarter of 2004, this report analyzes the impact of competitive sourcing on federal employees. The authors present three major conclusions. First, most claims of the negative impact of competitive sourcing on federal employees are unfounded. Second, the data affirmed previous research on the benefits of competitive sourcing.

Communities of Practice: A New Tool for Government Managers

This study documents the creation and implementation of several intergovernmental "communities of practice." It traces the history of these networks and documents their structure, activities and outcomes as well as identifies a number of critical success factors related to these groups. Case studies include: SafeCities, Boost4Kids and 21st Century Skills. fhwaCollaboration: Networks and Partnerships

 

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