Recent articles by Bill Bott from governing.com http://www.governing.com/authors/rss/rss/?a=92974909 Bill Bott is a GOVERNING contributor. Best known for his work consolidating the IT functions and staff in Missouri, he was recognized as a GOVERNING Public Official of the Year in 2007, and one of Government Technology's 2008 Doers, Dreamers, and Drivers. What to do with the 'Flo's' of Child Protection http://www.governing.com/blogs/public-great/gov-philosophy-of-child-protection.html If the work made passionate people act like Flo on the TV series "Alice," then the work can bring them back. CYA is Killing Kids http://www.governing.com/blogs/public-great/gov-child-protection-rules-after-tragedy.html Agencies' tendency to add more rules (and thus work) every time something bad happens prevents child protection workers from doing everything they can to keep kids safe. Learn About Lean and Other Management Fads from Texts http://www.governing.com/blogs/public-great/gov-lean-management-fads-texting-convo.html A text message conversation about how once management fads fade, the best concepts remain. What Citizens Really Want http://www.governing.com/blogs/public-great/gov-what-citizens-really-want.html Above all else, citizens want results. When they don't get them, they morph into selfish people. Remembering Tom Clements http://www.governing.com/blogs/public-great/gov-remembering-tom-clements.html The leader of Colorado’s prison system, who was killed last week, was a hero to communities that probably never knew his name. It’s Not Rocket Science http://www.governing.com/blogs/public-great/gov-nasa-procurement-system.html IT isn’t the solution to all our problems, and it shouldn’t take a rocket scientist to see that NASA should postpone liftoff for its new procurement system. Epic Technology Failures http://www.governing.com/blogs/public-great/gov-epic-technology-failures.html There are many, but tracking software -- which various government agencies make use of every day -- is one of the biggest. A TV-Inspired New Year's Resolution for Improving Government Services http://www.governing.com/blogs/public-great/gov-new-years-resolution-for-improving-services.html Reality TV reveals the problems with government services, but how do we fix them? Fear and Loathing in Chicago http://www.governing.com/blogs/public-great/Chicago-teachers-strike-fear-loathing-management.html Management lessons from the teachers' strike. Management Fads in Government Come and Go http://www.governing.com/blogs/public-great/Management-Fads-in-Government-Come-and-Go.html But black belts, "Lean" t-shirts and TQM posters are forever. Well, not really. Putting Olympic Passion to Work http://www.governing.com/blogs/public-great/Putting-Olympic-Passion-to-Work.html The Games may be over, but public workers must still find the drive to go for the gold. Spam and Spam a Lot http://www.governing.com/blogs/public-great/government-management-spam-emails.html The false hopes of unnecessary solutions can drown out meaningful conversation about how to fix government processes. Governments and the Hail Mary Pass http://www.governing.com/blogs/public-great/Governments-Hail-Mary-Pass.html Good management is a four-quarter commitment, not a last-ditch effort. Government Scandals: Why We Shouldn't Overreact http://www.governing.com/blogs/public-great/government-scandals-secret-service-prostitutes-gsa-ice-solution.html Recent abuses in the GSA, the Secret Service and the ICE are reprehensible. But they're no reason to overhaul government policies. Improving Government Management: Time to Get Radical http://www.governing.com/blogs/public-great/improving-government-management-time-get-radical.html Stop thinking about the work involved in a given task, and start thinking about everything else.