Recent articles by John M. Bernard from governing.com http://www.governing.com/authors/rss/rss/?a=142962025 John M. Bernard is chairman and founder of Portland, Ore.-based Mass Ingenuity and author of "Business at the Speed of Now." His firm is doing organizational-transformation consulting in Oregon and Washington State. How Going 'Lean' Fattened the Washington State Lottery's Payoff http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-washington-state-lottery-lean-customer-service-improvement-increased-revenue.html A team at the Washington state lottery found a way to better adapt to retailers' needs. The result was a big boost in sales. Fixing a Process that No Longer Makes Sense http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-oregon-background-checks-process-improvement-reduce-duplication.html An Oregon agency found ways to cut the time it takes to do background checks by more than half. With inefficient processes and duplicative services rife in government, that's just the beginning of the journey. Leading the Way on 'Lean' http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-washington-state-lean-government-eliminate-waste.html Washington state has made one of government's strongest commitments to this approach to government efficiency, one that's likely to survive a change in administrations. The Opening Door to Government Transformation http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-elections-opening-door-government-transformation.html When the elections are over, a new crop of leaders will face the same old challenges. Let's hope they will approach those challenges with new thinking. Delivering Services with Agility and Flexibility http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-oregon-health-care-business-architecture-management-system.html Oregon has a unique approach to designing its health-care programs: a management system that aims to eliminate silos. What’s Your Magic Number? http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-leading-indicator-number-predict-success-identify-problems.html Organizations usually have just a few leading indicators -- sometimes a single number -- that will predict success or identify problems. Our Efficiency-Killing Tangle of Laws http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-efficiency-tangle-laws-regulations-outcomes.html Governments produce tens of thousands of new laws every year, confusing citizens and driving business away. Instead of more laws, what we need is a focus on outcomes. The Unintended Benefits of Measuring Performance http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-unintended-benefits-measuring-performance.html Just putting measurement tools in place can improve existing processes — not months or years down the road, but right away. The Value of Data for Oregon’s Troubled Youth http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-data-oregon-youth-reformation-system.html A corrections agency’s effort to use data on what works to inform its professionals’ decisions promises better outcomes for those in its care. Who Owns Government Efficiency? http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-government-efficiency-executive-legislative-branch.html Professional managers will always be key, but lawmakers who care about efficient government can have a big role to play.