Recent articles by Jim Chrisinger from governing.com http://www.governing.com/authors/rss/rss/?a=87484062 Jim Chrisinger is a senior partner at the Public Strategies Group. What Elected Leaders Can Do http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/col-elected-leaders-heroes-barriers-government-transformation.html They can be heroes of government transformation—or they can be barriers to effective change. Eating 4 Education http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/eating-education-tax-increase-roanoke-schools.html A Virginia city found a way to make a tax increase for its schools easy to swallow. A New Operating System for Government http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/state-region-competitive-innovative-transformational-change-business-community.html For states and regions to be competitive and innovative, they need transformational change. The business community could be a formidable ally. Better than Cutting http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/cutting-budgets-to-create-most-value-less-money.html Slashing budgets across the board protects the worst spending. There are plenty of far more effective ways to go. Smart Management and the Turnaround of a City http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/Smart-Management-and-the-Turnaround-of-a-City.html The right management tools can literally help rebuild a blighted city. The Ideal 21st Century Employee http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/ideal-21st-century-employee.html To accommodate tomorrow's governments, we need leaders who excel at innovating and getting results, not climbing ladders. Iowa Charter Agencies: Did They Work? http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/iowa-charter-agencies-work.html Can Iowa's Charter Agencies initiative create more public value and help close the budget gap better than regular agencies? We believe the answer is a resounding "Yes." Governors And Budgets http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/new-governors-inaugurals-budgets.html How governors spend money is their most powerful lever to prioritize, make performance consequential and move agencies and stakeholders from frustration to innovation. Is There Really No Money in Government for Transformation? http://www.governing.com/topics/mgmt/Is-There-Really-No.html There's no excuse for failing to invest in change. Budgeting that Really Works http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/Budgeting-that-Really-Works.html While the need for improved budgeting is clear, how these various approaches work is anything but clear. Transformation by Popular Demand - Citizens Drive Change http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/Transformation-by-Popular-Demand.html So what does constructive “demand” for transformed government look like? A couple of examples come to mind. Results from Baltimore's Budget http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/results-baltimore-budget.html Done well, outcome budgeting uses the leverage of the budget process to do more than just better allocate money. It drives innovation. West Des Moines Cleans up on Trash Collection http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/west-des-moines-cleans-up-trash-collection.html By looking beyond the status quo, West Des Moines saved money and provided better service. Innovation in Iowa http://www.governing.com/columns/mgmt-insights/innovation-iowa.html West Des Moines, Iowa, may not seem a likely hot spot for public management innovation, but it thinks big when it comes to delivering value.