Recent articles by Babak Armajani from governing.com http://www.governing.com/authors/rss/rss/?a=87483717 Babak Armajani was a Governing contributor. He was the chair for the Public Strategies Group, where he and his partners focused on transforming bureaucracies into customer-focused enterprises. Creating the Courts Americans Want http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-courts-administration-justice-performance-based-innovation.html The public is dissatisfied with our courts. What the judicial system needs is a culture of performance-based innovation. Finding the Sweet Spot of Value and Cost http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-value-cost-averaging-government-service-delivery.html A concept called value-cost leveraging can cut the costs of delivering public services while providing better satisfaction. Three Keys to Breaking Government Gridlock http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-three-keys-breaking-government-gridlock.html Overcoming it is not a hopeless challenge. The trick is to look for the issues that lie beneath the surface. Politics and the Discouraged Public Servant http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-politics-discouraged-public-servant.html The meaningless dialogue we're hearing in this campaign season can leave people in government feeling pretty low. There are some ways to try to get past the blues. The Wrong -- and Right -- Way to Build a Strategic Plan http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-right-wrong-way-build-strategic-plan.html Done well, it can serve as the centerpiece of an organization’s work, guiding it in ways both large and small. What Price Consolidation? http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-government-consolidation-cost-saving-results-alternatives.html Combining government functions seems like a good idea, but it doesn’t always save money and it rarely improves results. There are alternatives worth considering. A ‘Picture-Perfect’ Regulatory System http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-picture-perfect-regulatory-system-voluntary-compliance.html We need rules and regulations, but nothing beats voluntary compliance. There are ways to make that happen. The Perils of Evidence-Based Government http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-peril-evidence-based-government-benchmarking-best-practice.html It’s a powerful tool, but sometimes it might really be better to reinvent the wheel. The Politics of Outcomes http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/outcome-accountability-measurement-government-political-elected-official-cultural-shift.html Accountability-based government requires a culture shift for elected officials. It’s a change they’re not always ready to make. The Crucial Architects of Government http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/architect-government-delivery-public-service.html Delivery of public services is all about how government systems are designed. A good idea alone is not enough. Skunk Works Produce Change http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/skunk-works-produce-change.html Tasked with outcomes sought, a small group of the most creative thinkers can bring about rapid innovation. The Perils of Performance Measurement http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/perils-performance-measurement.html If you want performance management to really take hold in your organization, follow these 6 tips. A Formula for Leadership http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/A-Formula-for-Leadership.html More than help leaders figure out the next step, Babak Armajani has a formula helping them see the bigger picture. A Push-Pull Strategy for Change http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/A-Push-Pull-Strategy-for.html Leadership is about winning followers. Cultivating Organizational Curiosity http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/Cultivating-Organizational-Curiosity.html Curiosity can be defined as a need, thirst, or desire for knowledge. It's also an attribute found in high performing organizations.