Recent articles by Robert Knisely from governing.com http://www.governing.com/authors/rss/rss/?a=90143642 Robert Knisely was a senior federal official and deputy director of Vice President Al Gore's Reinventing Government project. Thinking Outside the (Ballot) Box http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-internet-electronic-voting.html We shouldn't have to stand in long lines to vote. If Estonians can cast their ballots over the Internet, why can't Americans? The Right Government Tool for the Job http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/col-14-tools-of-government-lester-salamon.html An illuminating book lists 14 "tools of government." The trick is employing them wisely. What Government Can (and Can’t) Learn from Steve Jobs http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/steve-jobs-management-leadership-lessons-government.html Much of his distinctive and personal way of managing is a poor fit for the public sector. But there are some lessons in how he led. How Many Governments Do We Need? http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/how-many-governments-do-we-need-county-consolidation.html America’s web of local governments made sense in the 1600s. For efficiency’s sake, it’s time to rethink that structure. Homelessness: Think Strategically, Act Humbly http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/Homelessness-Think-Strategically-Act.html The problem of homelessness has proven vexing for a long time. There were homeless people before that couple in a stable, and there still are... Not Being There http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/Not-Being-There.html Organizations - even Federal bureaucracies - are only information and people. The more information becomes mobile, the less people need to be. A December 2008 report... Data to the People - A Tour of DC http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/Data-to-the-People.html The District of Columbia's Apps for Democracy initiative is turning government inside out and upside down. As a long-time resident of the DC area, I... In Search of “What Works” http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/dc-what-works.html A popular book from the 1980s chronicled the strategies of successful companies. Government leaders today are on a similar quest for effectiveness. Breaking the Tyranny of Rules http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/breaking-tyranny-rules.html If we want more responsive government in an age of disintermediation, we need rules and regulations both tagged and accessible by everyone. GAO and the Department of Redundancy http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/gao-department-redundancy.html Real increases in both effectiveness and efficiency are waiting to be harvested. This is unlikely to happen, however, if the system isn't driven to do so. The Secret to StateStat's Success http://www.governing.com/blogs/bfc/secret-statestat-success.html It is the 'in person' feature of StateStat that sets it apart from other successful performance measurement programs.