6 Tips for Piloting New Programs
Small test-runs can help an entity avoid big mistakes, but there's an art to getting meaningful results.
Authors
Katherine Barrett & Richard Greene |
Email : greenebarrett@gmail.com Twitter : @GreeneBarrettBarrett and Greene have done original research and writing in fields pertaining to state and local government and are columnists and correspondents for Governing magazine, where they founded the Government Performance Project. They are senior fellows at the Council of State Governments; special projects consultants for the Volcker Alliance; senior fellows at the Governing Institute; and fellows at the National Academy of Public Administration.
They have helped found and serve on the boards of two organizations: GovPerformance and the State Government Workforce Project. They have also served in an advisory capacity to many organizations, including the National League of Cities, the Urban Institute, the Governmental Accounting Standards Board, the Association of Government Accountants, the Council of State Governments, the Center for a Better South and others.
Are States Taking Cybersecurity Seriously Enough?
Only one has a cabinet-level official dedicated to the issue.
How Breaking Down Silos in Government Can Make Things Worse
Sometimes attempts to collaborate create unforeseen problems.
Governing: State and local government news and analysis
To Keep Public Workers, States Offer New Salaries and Benefits
Lawmakers increased wages and benefits for teachers, first responders and other public employees in nearly 20 states this legislative season.
WANTED: Public Employees Who Live Where They Work
Local governments are offering employees home loans and even housing if they reside among the people they serve.
Opening the Data Vault
How Grand Rapids is sharing information to boost transparency and solve city problems
Why's It So Hard to Ax Bad Government Programs?
Performance data hasn’t worked out the way it was intended.
To Find More 'Good Cops,' a Few Big Cities Change Their Hiring Process
They're putting more emphasis on applicants' emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills.
Are Public Employees Safe at Work?
Whether it's violence like the Virginia Beach shooting at a municipal building, or danger due to the nature of the job, government workers lack health and safety protections in nearly half the states.
A Brand-New Honor Roll
The latest top performers from Equipt to Innovate made strides in addressing racial disparities and engaging residents.
How Public Employers Are Reevaluating the Employee Review
Local governments are changing the frequency of performance evaluations, who receives them and what they're assessing.
Will the FDA Crackdown on Imported Prescriptions Cost Local Governments?
For years, hundreds of cities and counties have been saving money by letting their employees use cheaper drugs from other countries.
Satisfying, Successful Engagements
Getting buy-in from employees leads to greater productivity – and upward opportunity.
Performance Management Does Away With the Whip
The way governments are measuring results is becoming kinder -- and more effective.
Shortage of Volunteer Firefighters Threatens Fire Departments' Existence
Without enough volunteers to respond to emergencies, some fire departments are cutting services or even shutting down. Most are changing the way they recruit.
Why It's Easier to Find a Job in Pennsylvania
The state has made a number of key reforms to streamline its recruiting and hiring. One big change? Using plain English.
The Race to Race-Informed
Creating a race-informed city requires a broad range of approaches
What Do Constituents Want? Cities Go Online to Find Out.
Local governments are using internet surveys to better gauge residents’ needs.
Openings for State Jobs Are Up, So Why Are Applications Down?
A new study shows the depth -- and the root causes -- of the public sector's workforce problem.
Understanding the Benefits of a Data-Driven Government
Cities have come a long way in using data to inform decision-making, but progress can still be made.
Why Some Government Managers Make Less Than Their Employees
This form of pay inequity, referred to as salary inversion, is making it difficult to fill supervisor positions in the public sector.
Where’s the Data? What the Government Isn't Tracking
The amount of missing and unusable public-sector data is stunning.
Amid Strikes and Shortages, Governors Prioritize State Workers' Plight
Protesting teachers likely won't be the only public employees who see pay raises and workplace improvements this year.
Think Federal Workers Have It Bad? It's Worse for State and Local Employees.
The government shutdown exposed the financial insecurity and stress of many public servants.
Government Watchdogs Face New Obstacles
It’s getting harder for the people who check up on government to do their jobs.
The Gender Disparity in Climbing Local Government's Ladder
Women are less likely than men to aspire for and occupy top jobs. They're also less optimistic about their chances of moving up at all.
#MeToo Elicits More Harassment Conversations, But Not Necessarily Complaints
To address sexual harassment, it needs to be reported. State employees have been hesitant to do that.
Mapping Technology Expands Its Policy Reach
Once used only to manage infrastructure, GIS now deals with all kinds of data.
Defying Predictions, Union Membership Isn't Dropping Post-Janus
The Supreme Court’s ruling was expected to diminish union membership. But so far, many unions have actually increased their numbers since the verdict. Conservative groups are working to reverse that trend in the long run.
Accounting for Oysters: The Importance of Fiscal Notes in Policymaking
As Maryland has learned, it’s crucial to know the costs of proposed legislation.
Advice for New Governors as They Transition Into Office
For one, don’t assume the last governor’s appointees want to leave.
Who Needs a Desk? Tennessee Takes Telework to the Max
The state's new approach to the workplace goes far beyond traditional telecommuting. It's not only making employees and managers happier, it's saving the state millions of dollars.
Why Are So Many Government Projects Late and Over Budget?
Ironically, it can happen because managers skip steps in an effort to go faster.
Arkansas' Ambitious Plan to Reorganize State Government
The governor wants to downsize the number of cabinet-level agencies by more than half -- without laying people off.
How Public Employee Benefits (Beyond Pensions and Health Care) Compare to the Private Sector's
At a time of low unemployment, both kinds of employers are beefing up their perks.
How to Turn Government Data Into Clickbait
Graphic displays of information are useful only if they’re seen.
How Much Privacy Do Public Employees Actually Have?
The digital age, new laws and recent events have created tension between government's transparency and the privacy of the people who work for it.
Public Employees' Pay, Benefits and Rights Become Campaign Issues
A year filled with teacher strikes and sexual harassment scandals has led candidates for governor to talk more about how they would treat their state's workforce.
Government Purchasers Confront a Problem: Not Enough Vendors
Procurement officers are having to get more active -- and more creative -- to find companies willing to work with the public sector.
A Red State Raises Its Workers' Minimum Wage to $15
North Carolina Republicans overrode the Democratic governor to increase some state employees' pay. What led to this unexpected decision?
Wanting More Power, Public Employees Run for Office
"If you want to have an influence on policy, then the best way to do so is by being an elected official."
Data-Based Decisionmaking Works Great, Til Someone Cheats
There’s a long list of government agencies that have fudged numbers in misleading ways.
How Governments Are Closing the Gender Pay Gap
From banning certain hiring questions to opening up pay discussions between coworkers, states and municipalities are addressing years of inequality.
How States Are Making It Harder to Leave Unions
Just over two weeks since the Janus ruling, about a third of the affected states have taken actions meant to soften its impact on unions' membership and revenue.
Expiration Dates in Government: How to Know When to Ditch a Regulation
Lots have passed their sell-by date.
Thousands of Unfilled Jail Jobs, Millions in Overtime, 'Zero Room for Error'
States across the country are struggling to staff their prisons and jails. The shortages are costing them in overtime -- and lives lost when inmates riot against conditions likely worsened by overworked guards.
How States Are Helping People With Disabilities Break Into Government Jobs
Some are changing their applications. Others are instituting "tryouts."
See Public Records? Governments Are Making It Harder.
A growing number of states are limiting access to them.
Is 'Innovocracy' Hurting the Public Sector?
Massachusetts' comptroller thinks so.
The Real Reason Behind Recent Teacher Strikes -- And Why They're Likely to Continue
It's about much more than low salaries.
Why Do So Many Governments Miss Their Project Deadlines?
Project delays are a huge problem. “Sourcing teams” could be one solution.
Want to Prevent Cyberattacks? Don't Count on Employee Training to Stop Them.
Tips from a cybersecurity expert.
NDAs and Confidential Settlements Shake State Capitols and City Halls
People who work for the Trump administration and Congress members aren't the only government employees being asked to sign legally questionable contracts to keep secrets.
One of Affordable Housing’s Biggest Problems: Poor Management
Most of the problems are rooted in false or missing data.
Are More Strikes Coming? West Virginia Wasn't the Only State Neglecting Employee Health Care.
The issue that led West Virginia teachers to walk out may be boiling over elsewhere as states neglect workers' benefits, sometimes causing financial and medical hardship for public servants.
Vacancies Aren't Unique to Trump. States Struggle to Fill Top Positions, Too.
When an agency head leaves, some states take years to find a permanent replacement. What takes so long?
America’s 1,800 Licensing Boards and Their Countless Problems
Too many state licensing boards are not fulfilling their objectives, yet, more are popping up.
In Government Procurement, Buying Local Is Popular. But Is It Beneficial?
Much like President Trump, many U.S. cities make an effort to use the goods and services of companies in their own city limits. It has some troubling side effects.
Retirement Experts to New Government Employees: Think for Yourself
When pension reform happens, new workers often carry the biggest financial burden. But they don't always have to.
Unfilled Jobs Take Toll on Governments Across the Country
When vacancies are high, there are consequences -- and many places are feeling them.
It's the Money, Stupid
There are a lot of big issues facing officials in 2018. The biggest is funding.
Unions Widen Who They're Fighting For
Public-sector unions are becoming more altruistic. They may need to be.
The #MeToo Effect Trickles Down the Public Workforce
As sexual harassment allegations take down powerful politicians, states and cities are revisiting their training and policies for the bureaucrats who have far less power but keep the government running.
Why Are Governments So Hesitant to Share Services?
It makes rational sense, but people find many reasons to be wary -- even high school football rivalries.
How Public Employees Could Power the Struggling Taxi Industry
In what some say is a first in the world, D.C.'s latest venture gives taxi drivers new business and simultaneously cuts its own costs.
How Some Cities Are Getting Millennials' Aid for Free
The David Bohnett Foundation is funding a pipeline -- albeit, small -- of young people who want to work in local government.
How's My Program Doing? The Question That Doesn't Always Have a Good Answer
Program evaluation offices have yet to become common throughout government -- and where they do exist, many lawmakers don't know about them.
The Latest Social Media Trend in Government
It's hard to get people to follow their local government on Facebook or Twitter. A few cities are using their employees' personal accounts to connect with more residents.
Are Your Schools Tracking Absenteeism the Right Way?
Better data is helping schools find new ways to keep kids in classrooms.
States' Answer to Rising Health-Care Costs for Employees? You Pay for It.
Governments in recent years have shifted more and more of the burden of health-care premiums on to employees themselves.
How Unions Are Already Gearing Up for a Supreme Court Loss
Public-sector unions are already preparing for a potential exodus of members and a loss of revenue. Can they survive without charging mandatory fees?
5 Government Trends to Watch
As Governing celebrates its 30th anniversary, here's a few predictions for the next three decades.
An HR Expert's Dos and Donts of Managing
Sometimes you have to be the bad cop. Throwing out stereotypes about millennials is a good idea, too.
Can New Perks Make Up for Smaller Pensions?
Many governments hope so, as they add benefits like napping pods and kid-friendly workplaces to keep employees happy.
Why Government Watchdogs Are Worried
Budget cuts and political retaliation, they say, are endangering their jobs and their ability to uncover information.
Sunshine and Pay Raises: How Governments Poach Employees From Other Governments
The recruiting tactic may grow as baby boomers leave more job vacancies.
Hackers' Little Helpers: Employees With Bad 'Cyber-Hygiene'
Governments are starting to realize that cybersecurity isn't just the responsibility of the IT department.
Why Are Government Websites So Bad?
Broken links, outdated information and mysterious abbreviations are just a few of the problems.
In Virginia, Government Workers Are Getting Job-Search Help (From Their Current Employer)
“As far as I know, we’re the only state doing this,” says Gov. Terry McAuliffe's chief of staff.
'Giving Help and Not Asking for It': Inside the Mental Health of First Responders
Human tragedy comes with the badge -- but help dealing with it often doesn't.
Does Business Know Best?
You can’t run public agencies like private companies, but you can borrow ideas from them.
Upgrading Government's IT 101
Public employees are often resistant to technological change. In some cases, it's their employers' fault.
The Pros and Cons of Telecommuting to a Government Gig
The option is catching on among public-sector employers as a way to attract and retain employees.
A Culture Shift for Government Shoppers
Purchasing has become more complex, which is why managers want critical thinking to lead the process.
Why Is Government One of the Worst Industries for Equal Pay?
Women working in public administration make, on average, 25 percent -- or $16,900 -- less than men.
When Building a Diverse Workforce, Hiring Is Just the Start
Diversity has a lot of benefits, but achieving it isn't as easy as it sounds.
10 Ways Public Officials Lie, Kind of
They fool some of the people most of the time.
Are Nonprofits the New Go-To Choice for Altruistic Jobseekers?
Public service students appear to be shying away from working in government, possibly worsening the sector's longtime hiring struggle.
A State Employees' Guide to Governors' Workforce Goals
From promises of pay raises to warnings of cutbacks, State of the State speeches offer a peek into their priorities for the year.
Generation Z Wants a Job. Are You Ready to Hire Them?
Studies show that the people just joining the workforce may present a different set of challenges and opportunities than their predecessors.
The State of Paid Parental Leave in the Public Sector
Few state or local government employees have the benefit, but that's slowly changing -- and so are the circumstances for getting it.
The Rise of the COO in State Government
Governors are slowly realizing that they need someone to take on the things they don’t have time for.
Can Government Employees Criticize the Government?
They have fewer free-speech rights than private workers, but what counts as a fireable offense is debatable.
Governments Are Upping Their Professional Development Game
It's a win-win: Employees grow their careers and the public sector grows, or at least maintains, its workforce.
From Food to Buildings, Safety Inspections Are Lagging
Staff and budget shortages are mostly to blame.
When Employees Quit, the Public Sector Panics
Few governments have succession plans in place. The ones that do are seeing some positive results.
The Do's and Dont's for Planning a Transition of Power
New governors can learn a thing or two from presidential transitions.
What Government Workers and Managers Should Be Paying Attention to in 2017
According to union officials and HR executives around the country.
Did We Say That? Public-Sector Predictions That Never Came True
Progress is slow. Our overly enthusiastic forecasts prove that.
Why Even a Public Management Expert Might Not Take a Government Job
Neil Reichenberg has devoted his career to helping the public sector hire and keep employees.
Let's Make a Pact: States Increasingly Problem Solve Together
They often fall under the radar, but compacts are becoming a top tool for managing interstate issues.
Where Are All the Social Workers Going?
Turnover in the field has reached crisis levels in some places, forcing them to figure out how to hire and keep the right people.
Hired by an Algorithm: HR's Technology Problem
Getting rid of paper applications speeds up the hiring process, but it can lead to the wrong people making the cut.
Colorado Governor’s Plan to Poach Corporate Leaders
John Hickenlooper hopes to recruit high-level talent for the next generation of public officials.
Introducing: How to Be a Better Mayor 101
Harvard and Bloomberg Philanthropies have teamed up to offer what they say is the first major effort to formally educate mayors about how to be more effective.
Once Taboo, Government Employers Now Mix Work and Home
Public employers offer to help workers with nearly every aspect of their lives -- whether it's related to their finances or their marriage.
What Happens When Privatization Doesn't Work Out
Whether it's prisons in Idaho or pensions in Michigan, several states are moving their outsourced services back in-house.
How Sugar Beets Symbolize Innovation in Government
In Karen Thoreson's world, few things are ruled out as a possibility for improving public services.
WANTED: Police for Hire, Minorities Encouraged
Qualified -- and willing -- applicants have become increasingly hard for police departments to find.
To Work on Parole Boards, No Experience Necessary
The people who decide criminals’ freedom are often ill-equipped to make informed decisions. That’s where risk assessment tools come in, but they aren't always used.
5 Common Headaches on Government Websites
Going online for public information isn't as easy as it should be.
Problem With Government? There May Be an Ombud for That.
States are increasingly creating specialized ombudsman offices to cater to citizens' complaints.
Lessons From Cities Trying to Be Better Buyers
Chicago and many other municipalities are focusing on reforming the rigid and inconsistent rules of procurement.
Is a 40-Hour Workweek Enough in Government?
Not for most local officials. But they may not all be using their time wisely.
Can Government Be Too Transparent?
More information isn't always better. Some things are better kept secret.
Managing Life-and-Death Situations
When a disaster strikes, skilled management can save lives and political futures.
Higher the Rank, Higher the Turnover
In some statewide positions, people come and go fast, taking several keys to success when they leave.
What Employee Surveys Reveal About Working in Government
Depending on whether you work for states and localities, the federal government or the private sector, your job satisfaction may differ.
The Tricky Trend That’s Blurring Budget Transparency
Governments’ increasing reliance on special funds can put them in financial and legal trouble.
Public Employee Surveys: Worthwhile or Worthless?
It depends on how governments use the results.
Overtime: The Good, the Bad and the Unsafe
It's important to know when overtime is a smart financial decision and when it's better to send employees home.
States Struggle to Manage Medical Transportation
Millions of disabled, sick and elderly people rely on medical transportation that can leave them stranded for hours in times of need.
Bad Bosses
The majority of employee complaints result from weak managerial skills. What's being done to address it?
Lessons From the No. 1 Procurement State
The leaders of Georgia’s purchasing office on saving money, realizing the importance of data analysts and being underappreciated.
States Start Making Colleges Work for Funding
At least 20 states are developing performance-based systems for funding higher education. The impact varies widely from state to state.
Government's Data-Driven Frenemies
There's a long-standing rivalry between the people who do performance measurement and the people who evaluate programs.
Meetings: A Necessary Evil That Can Be Improved
We have to have them, so we might as well make them as productive as possible.
5 Urgent Public Management Issues
These are the top challenges governments will need to address in 2016.
Where Affordable Housing Is Scarce, So Are Teachers
To get people to teach in expensive or rural areas, some school districts are offering to help pay their rent or mortgage.
Governors’ 2016 Priorities
Their State of the State addresses offer a window into their to-do lists for the new year.
America's Jails Have an HR Problem
Employees are often overworked and undertrained, putting themselves and the inmates they're supposed to protect at risk.
Can Government Hiring Get Out of the Stone Age?
As states and localities have tried to modernize the way they attract and retain public workers, some best practices have emerged.
State Budget Analysts Watch Their Own Numbers Decline
Most state budget offices have fewer employees and more work than they did a decade ago.
The Trials and Tribulations of Auditing Government
The people who probe governments' finances and effectiveness often have little power and are at risk of losing more, says Philadelphia Controller Alan Butkovitz.
Cheaper Isn’t Necessarily Better for Government
Many states and cities get hung up on low prices and fail to consider a company's performance when deciding whether to contract with them.
The Missing Pieces of State Budgets
Budgets aren't as transparent as they could be. There are ways (some simpler than others) to fix that.
Dumbing Down Financial Reports, Missing Meeting Minutes and More
A roundup of public-sector management news you need to know.
7 Ideas for Using Government Data More Effectively
From city managers to auditors, local officials offer ways to fix data collection.
A Conversation With One of America's Performance Management Leaders
Gary Blackmer talks about auditing police, changes in the field and the toughest parts of the job.
Financial Reports: Better Late Than Never?
States often fail to finish their annual reports in time for them to even matter. Some have found ways to speed up the process.
How Tennessee Transformed the Way It Hires and Fires People
The state’s successful civil service reforms offer lessons for other governments.
States Own More Property Than They Know
Many states struggle to know how much property they have and how best to use it. Some, though, are fixing the problem -- and it's saving them money.
A Warning for States, the Best Government Website, New Privacy Protections and More
A roundup of public-sector management news you need to know.
Do Animal Shelters Serve People or Pups?
Most have evolved toward a no-kill policy but lack the money or resources to keep every animal alive and well.
'You're Fired': Ways to Get Rid of Bad Government Workers
Public employers can't legally get rid of their employees as easy as Trump and his private-sector peers can. But there are ways to make it easier.
The Person Standing Between the Press and the Government
Mediators can either make the already-uneasy relationship between reporters and public officials worse or better.
The Importance of Listening to Public Employees Complain
Government agencies can learn a lot from tracking and analyzing grievance claims.
Helping Doctors Go Digital
For technology to meet its potential to transform health care, many barriers must be overcome.
Dubious Surpluses, Questionable Savings, Beneficial Failures and More
A roundup of public-sector management news you need to know.
Exit Interviews: Increasingly Important But Often Forgotten
Knowing why employees quit might keep others on the job, something governments struggle to do.
The New Laws You Probably Won't Read About Anywhere Else
The media often ignores legislation related to government management, so we tracked down some of the year's highlights.
Bad Data Is at All Levels of Government
States are not the only ones to lack the data they need to make good government.
The Next Big Thing in Data Analytics
As the amount of data that governments accumulate grows, so does the need to disaggregate it.
The Causes, Costs and Consequences of Bad Government Data
States and localities are embracing the promise of big data. But just how good is the information they’re collecting in the first place?
What Improv Comedians Can Teach Government Employees
The guiding principles of improv comedy could help people in the public sector perform better.
Did Performance Measurement Cause America's Police Problem?
Some argue it can be traced back to how departments evaluate their officers.
Training May Be Valuable, But Few Governments Measure Its Success
And without proof of its value, cash-strapped states are increasingly cutting training budgets.
How Cell Phones Strain 911, The Importance of Follow-Through in Policymaking, Why Fraud Goes Undetected, and More
A roundup of public-sector management news you need to know.
The Smell Test for Bad Data
There are many ways numbers can be misleading. Here are a few.
When Licensing Has Gone Too Far
License requirements are intended to improve the safety of services like nail salons. But in many other professions, the negative effects of licensing can outweigh the positive.
Problems Auditors Can't Fix, the Dangers of Overtime, Flipped Classrooms and More
A roundup of public-sector management news you need to know.
5 of the Most Misunderstood Terms in Government
Government managers all appear to be speaking English, but the same words and phrases often have multiple, contradictory meanings.
HR Directors Get a Personnel Downgrade
Even though states spend more on payroll than anything else, many governors no longer look to human resources for advice on their workforce.
Twitter Tips, Aging IT Workers, Book Recommendations and More
A roundup of public-sector management news you need to know.
The Paradoxical Truth About Efficiency Commissions
Many states have them, but few evaluate whether efficiency commissions are themselves efficient.
How Government Can Benefit from Becoming Better Storytellers
Most politicians fail to communicate the importance of policies to the public because they lack skills in the art of the anecdote.
The Turnover Gap, Why School Leadership Matters, Medicaid's Revolving Door and More
A roundup of public-sector management news you need to know.
Mixed Reviews on Disclosing Tax Incentives
While most favor increasing transparency in tax incentives, some of the biggest players in state and local government have spoken out against the latest proposal.
Overlooked Overpayments, Humanizing Public Services and HR Issues to Watch
Plus more public-sector management news you need to know.
6 Big Government Management Issues in 2015
Each are crucial for states and localities to address this year.
A Shortage of Data Analysts, Empty Promises, and Missed Opportunities
Plus more public-sector management news you need to know.
Crime and Mismanagement and the Realities of Gambling and Online Education
Plus more public-sector management news you need to know.
What Keeps Government Managers Up at Night
An impromptu survey reveals what public officials worry most about and what makes them optimistic about the future.
Ways to Improve Debt Collection, Problems with Contracting, and the Dangers of 'Shovel-Ready' Projects
Plus more public-sector management news you need to know.
So You Won the Governor’s Race, Now What?
The transition from one administration to the next sets the tone for a new governor. But there are ways to mess it up.
An Outsourcing Reversal, Misnamed Agencies and Reading Recommendations
Plus more public-sector management news you need to know.
The Hidden Threat: A Shortage of Correctional Officers
Plus more public-sector management news you need to know.
The Simple Way to Grade the Public Workforce
Some governments are going back to measuring employees' quantity of output instead of quality.
Questionable Credit Ratings, Tax Credit Disclosures and Gas Tax Secrets
Plus more public-sector management news you need to know.
Why Governments Don’t Know Bridges Are Deteriorating
Plus more public-sector management news you need to know.
Why Schools Resist Consolidating
There are financial and educational benefits to merging small school districts, yet it's almost always a hard sell.
Why Nevada's Tesla Tax Incentive Is So Risky
Plus more public-sector management news you need to know.
B&G Report: L.A.'s 300-Year Problem, Problematic Comparisons and Simple Solutions
All the public-sector management news you need to know.
The VA Isn't the Only Agency Mismanaging Waiting Lists
Many state and local agencies fail to properly oversee waiting lists for government programs.
B&G Report: Last-Minute Meetings, Mental Health and Data on Child Deaths
All the public-sector management news you need to know.
B&G Report: Performance Pay Problems, Shark States and Meaningless Goals
All the public-sector management news you need to know.
How Does a City Lose a Backhoe?
From guns to backhoes to vehicles, many municipalities struggle to keep track of their inventories.
B&G Report: a Ruling on Retirees, Bad Government Checks and Slow Press Offices
All the public-sector management news you need to know.
B&G Report: the Dangers of Comparing Police, Book Recommendations and Unhelpful Media
All the public-sector management news you need to know.
The Benefits of Sizing Your State Up to Others
Oregon’s workers’ compensation reform shows benchmarking (when done right) can lead to big gains in efficiency.
B&G Report: The Next VA Scandal and the Pros and Cons of Appointed Employee Contracts
All the public-sector management news you need to know.
B&G Report: Mobile Apps, the World's Worst Client and Traffic Decongestants
All the public-sector management news you need to know.
Politicians Count Their Pennies Too Soon
Elected officials have a tendency to promise big savings and painless cuts that often don’t turn out how they hoped.
B&G Report: The Value of Opting In, Outsourced Audits, and Wasted Art Funding
All the public-sector management news you need to know.
B&G Report: 'Reinstitution' of the Mentally Ill, Comprehensible Courtrooms, and the Flexibility Stigma
All the public-sector management news you need to know.
International Students: More Than Just Dollar Signs to U.S. Universities
When students from abroad attend American universities, their ideas enrich us.
B&G Report: Useless Opinions, Outsourcing Outcomes, and Leslie Knope-Inspired Awards
All the public-sector management news you need to know.
B&G Report: Ignored Reports, Government-Bought iPods and Auditing Auditors
All the public-sector management news you need to know.
The Trouble with Email
Yes, it’s been a boon for government work, but it also opens the door to conflict and confusion.
B&G Report: Anonymous Contractors, Unconventional Budgeting and the Seattle Syndrome
All the public-sector management news you need to know.
B&G Report: Public Records of the Dead, Empty Committees and Pension Tips
All the public-sector management news you need to know.
Happy Birthday, World Wide Web
In its 25 years, the Internet has drastically changed how government works.
B&G Report: Kickstarter for Government, the Problem with Practical Policies and Cities' Top 10 Challenges
All the public-sector management news you need to know.
B&G Report: Misleading Debt Burdens and Budget Claims and a Chance at More Cash
All the public-sector management news you need to know.
3 Ways to Keep Public Employees from Leaving
The turnover rate among young state employees is rising. Raising pay might be a way to change that, but it’s not a practical one.
B&G Report: The Fairness of Fines, Disappointing Government Websites, and Wasted Financial Reports
All the public-sector management news you need to know.
B&G Report: The Right World Outlook, What School Lessons Are Missing, and the Risks of Inaccurate Data
All the public-sector management news you need to know.
The Corporate Playbook for Government
Should governments emulate the business practice of Fortune 500 companies?
The Price of Driving on Bad Roads, 6 Things That Engage Employees, and a Bible for Wellness Programs
All the public-sector management news you need to know.
Flawed Thinking About Auditors, the Truth Behind Conferences, and the Value of Field Trips
All the public-sector management news you need to know.
Is Earmarking the Best Way to Fund Projects?
It's not black and white, but understanding the pros and cons increases your chances of coming to the right answer for a particular project.
Treating Medicaid Users Like Birds, Why Government Can Use More Jokes, and a Pension Guide for Politicians
All the public-sector management news you need to know.
High CIO Turnover, Civic Engagement Ideas and States with Sin-Tax Dependency
All the public-sector management news you need to know.
Why Do So Many Governments Resist Benchmarking?
Beyond fear of disclosure, there are a number of reasons states and localities may not want to engage in benchmarking.
New Yorkers Lose Homes to the Homeless, a Bright Spot for Detroit, and the Key to Increasing Home Values
All the public-sector management news you need to know.
To Keep Up with the Private Sector, Governments Must Focus on More Than Just Pay
Thanks to recent revenue increases, some states are unfreezing public workers’ pay for the first time since before the recession. But looking at pay levels rather than total compensation hides a great deal of the story.
Drought of Data Experts, How Much the Highest Paid Governor Makes, and Another Tax Loophole
All the public-sector management news you need to know.
A Warning for Big Data, 3 Ways to Handle Citizen Feedback, and Why "Experts" Are Often Wrong
All the public-sector management news you need to know.
States and Localities Realize the Importance of IGs
Although not every city and state is eager to form inspector general offices -- New York City leaders, for example, are currently debating the benefits of one for the police department -- the trend toward more of them has been steady.
Transportation Trends, the Good News About Bridges, and Funeral Directors' Push to Modernize
All the public-sector management news you should know.
Atheist Treasurers Not Allowed, the Merits of Revenue-Raising, and How Neb. Wound up with a Unicameral Legislature
All the public-sector management news you need to know.
Odd License Requirements, How Oklahoma City Lost 1M Pounds, and New Government Jargon
Public-sector management news you should know.
Improving Management: A Story in Texts
A text message conversation about how once management fads fade, the best concepts remain.
How to Keep Costly Road Repairs to a Minimum
Coordination between public agencies and utilities will keep streets from being torn up, again and again.
Iowa's Generous Employee Benefits, Winning Audits, and the Side Effect of Furloughs
Plus: the misconception about failure and more management news
Retirement Predictions, Sin Taxes' Side Effects and the Impact of Class Sizes
Plus: a great resource for child welfare workers and more management news
The Risks of Relying on User Fees
In the past three years, states and cities have brought in billions of dollars in additional user fees. But there are pitfalls to this form of revenue boost.
Winners in Detroit, Useless Data and Rethinking Charitable Giving
Plus: the message that "out of office" replies convey and more management news
Detroit’s Fixable Fiscal Problems, Evaluators under Pressure and the Impact of Multitasking
Plus: The importance of parks and more management news
Why Haven’t States and Localities Capitalized on Great Management Ideas?
When management meets politics, management is generally the loser. What can policymakers do to heighten the chances that a reform will, at least, be given the opportunity to succeed or fail?
The Limits of Bill Gates' Influence, a Formula for Change and Honorable Contracting Reform
Plus: why Portland, Ore., may no longer be a leader in transit planning and more management news
The Reality of Being Sick, Job Piracy and Smart Pension Moves
Plus: how a transit authority transformed itself and more management news
Cities Strengthening Bonds with Their International Sisters
There's a new push to get these 2,000 international partnerships working together on concrete development programs.
Underreported News, a Risk to Public Health and Savings without Sacrificing Service
Plus: a guide for successful collaboration and more management news
Florida's Wasted Tax Dollars, Ignored Auditors and Keeping up with Transit
Plus: government's ongoing war against “the bad guys” and more management news
The Difficulties of Measuring Government Success
Take weatherization. It’s harder than advertised to come up with an easy way to assess the program’s success.
Restaurant Audits, Longevity Pay and the Value of Public Amenities
Plus: the importance of IT training and more management news
The Problem with Preferential Bids for Women, Minorities
Giving preference to women- or minority-owned businesses is a widely acceptable social policy that can run into management problems.
Giving Thanks to Government, Bad Data, and "Greening" Jails
Plus: 4 questions to ask before sharing services and more management news
Shared Services, Fat Stats, and a New Yorker's Account of Sandy
Plus: Finding Medicaid waste and more management news
Public vs. Private Employees: Who Wins in a Bidding War?
Instead of simply preselecting private- or public-sector employees, managed competition means projects can be put out for bid with both groups competing for work.
Changing How Universities Spend Money, the Problem with Rankings and Identifying Government's Enemy
Plus: The impact of postponed retirement and more management news
How Body Language Can Improve Union Talks, the Real Cost of Closing Schools and a Board Game for Budget Writers
Plus: Advice for the public sector from the private sector and more management news
What Killed Alabama’s Performance Measurement Plan?
Less than a decade after the state enacted its first real performance measurement plan, it -- like a number of other similar programs in the states -- has fallen on hard times.
The Gambling Bait and Switch, Surprising Workforce Stats, and Untracked Spending on Juvenile Justice
Plus: The unpredictable costs of trauma care, and more management news
Overcoming Training Losses, Improving Mental Health and Fixing the Problem of Too Much Parking
Plus: When cuts come to cops, and more management news
Sick Leave Causes Headaches for Governments
Governments are struggling with how to properly manage sick leave to prevent employees from abusing it.
When Training Goes Away, When Fiscal Fixes Backfire, and a Novel Traffic Solution
Plus: The return of the Manager's Reading List, and more management news
Getting Smarter on Health Care, Ironing Out Government's Conflicting Goals, and the Problem with Job Creation
Plus: Illegal pension recipients, and more management news
Gainsharing Falls Victim to Tight Times
The concept of sharing unspent dollars with other employees and agencies saves governments money but is often ignored when budgets are the smallest.
An App Without a Home, "The Big Pencil" and Getting Sick of Sick Days
Plus: Getting data right on teachers, and more management news
Rx for Too Much Sick Leave?
B&G readers weigh in on whether requiring doctors' notes will cut down on absenteeism.
Good Technology Investments, Spending Surpluses Wisely, and Government vs. the Press
Plus: The problems with digital textbooks and more management news
The Public’s Problem with Performance Measurements
The average citizen isn’t interested in government-tracked measurements. But if it’s results-based data that directly affects their lives, they might be.
Requiring a Doctor's Note, Tax Rates vs. Growth, and Performance in Beantown
Plus: A well-written plea for audtiting, and more management news
Residency Requirements, Connecting Citizens to Performance Reporting, and the Problem with Surveys
Plus: Questions about restructuring, and more management news
Performance Measurement Improves the Quality of Health Care
Quality measures are transforming everything from billing practices to patient behavior.
Obstacles to Results-Based Management, the Erosion of Analytic Capability, and the Hazards of Municipal-Guaranteed Debt
Plus: Life in the 'burbs, and more management news
Sustaining Performance Systems, Keeping Up With Day Care, and the Problem with Readmission Rates
Plus: Patient-ranked doctors and more management news
Government Performance Auditors at Risk of Becoming Endangered
Many governments have shifted into reverse, cutting and even eliminating auditing offices.
Results-Based Barriers, Robbing Peter to Save Paul Money, and the Power of Bad Data
Plus: A scathing Rhode Island audit, and more management news
Putting Data to Use, Paying Cops to Shoot and the Politics of Revenue Estimates
Plus: Wise words from a former dicator, and more management news
Government Fleets’ Costs Driven Down with Technology Tools
The technology is there, but many state and local agencies still aren’t using it.
Sick Time for Overtime: Public-Sector Officials Weigh In
Should governments count paid leave toward overtime?
Workforce Planning in Washington, Iffy Stats for Private Prisons, and Wasting Money on College Dropouts
Plus: Linking forms and outcomes, and more management news
Competing With the Feds, Filing Your Email and Sell-By Dates for Data
Plus: Getting it right on overtime, and more management news
Is Government Consolidation Always Good?
In tight times, governments push for more centralization. But it doesn’t always produce the positive results that are hoped for.
When Pilot Programs Crash and Burn, Getting Sick Over Sick Time, and the Problem with Fiscal Notes
Plus: Tricky tax incentives, and more management news
Overtime for Sick Time, States' Off-Cycle Fiscal Plans, and Knowing What You're Buying
Plus: No love for committees, and more management news
'Constraints Management' Breaks Down Barriers to Efficiency
Government efficiency initiatives come and go. But Utah has had continued success with one in particular.
Top Issues for 2012, Library User Fees and Charging for School Buses
Plus: A better way to rate hospital care, and more management news
Evaluation of Evaluations
Do public employee appraisals actually accomplish anything?
Management Resolutions, States' Varied CAFRs, and an Energy-Saving Tool
Plus: Employee self-motivation and more management news
Fighting Government Fraud
How much fraud actually occurs is debatable, but the benefits of eliminating it are clear. And many governments are taking steps to stop schemes, scams and public-sector swindles.
The Reliability of Performance Appraisals, Ads on Chicago City Property, and the Cost of Employee Turnover
Plus: Welfare rules in the 50 states, and more management news.
In Government We Don’t Trust
People have gradually lost trust in government. How can public leaders get it back?
Reading the Fine Print on Financials, A Gold-Plated Tunnel in San Diego, and a Useful Source for Public Policy News
Plus: Assessing corruption in the public sector, and more management news
Balanced-Budget Bollocks, The Price Tag of Transparency, and Tracking Government Collaborations
Plus: Questions about pension investments, and more management news
Performance Auditors Lose Influence in Tight Times
Groups that assess the value of government programs inevitably make some enemies. That’s one reason the programs are always first on the chopping block.
Cost-Savings of Telecommuting, the Perils of Part-Timers, and a Council Meeting Erupts
Plus: The soothing power of shelter dogs, and more management news
Facebook in Government, The Value of Coloring Books, and Defining 'Waste, Fraud and Abuse'
Plus: Cheaper tech for schools, and more management news
Do States Really Balance Their Budgets?
Loopholes, unexpected expenses and glorified revenue predictions make balanced budgets an unattainable reality for some legislatures.
Analysis After the Fact, Why DOTs Should Act Like Retail Stores, and Slippery Stats on Road Safety
Plus: Defining a good boss, and more management news
Tablet Computer Takeover, The Plight of Small Counties, and Ethics Laws
Focusing on the budget minutiae, and more management news
Small Energy-Efficiency Investments Add Up
States and cities are finding that even the simplest tasks, like switching to LED streetlight bulbs, can result in significant savings.
Stressed on the Job, Go-to Sources for Econ, and the Danger of Pretty Data
Plus: Emphasizing the individual, and more management news
Measuring the Efficiency of Courts
Municipalities in more than a dozen states are using tools to gauge their courts’ speed, accessibility and reliability in administering justice.
Disagreeing with Your Boss
B&G Readers sound off on whether it's okay to go up against the man or woman in charge.
States' Self-Promotion, Mobile Phone Math, and Explaining Tax Expenditures
Plus: Sounding off on disagreeing with the boss, and more management news
Research Help, More Audit Cuts, and Good News for Greener Cities
Plus: Misconduct in the school cafeteria, and more management news
Across-The-Board Budget Cuts May Not Bring Real Savings
When states determine to make some kind of cut with regard to agencies, it's important to differentiate between them.
Disagreeing with Your Boss, the State Bailout Fallacy, and Misleading Crime Stats
Plus: Harmful transparency and more management news
It's Not All Politics with YouTube's 'Town Hall'
The new website empowers citizens to make their decisions based on the issues and not the party that supports them.
The Trials of Transparency, The Trouble with Assuming, and a New Government Wiki
Plus: Four-day school weeks and more management news
Ticked at Tech: Your Responses
B&G readers sound off on their frustrations with on-the-job technology.
What's a Pension Perk Worth?
Employers can't pinpoint what the real value of retiree benefits is to them.
The Taxation Ink-Blot Test, Twittering Cities, and Still Ticked at Tech
Plus: Shared services and more management news
B&G Interview: Frank Fairbanks, former City Manager of Phoenix
A discussion with a veteran of local level public service.
Ticked Off at Technology, Let's Get Fiscal, and a Lesson from Bangladesh
Plus: Too much certainty, and more management news
When is a Shortfall a Budget Gap and Not a Budget Deficit?
The distinctions between gaps and deficits can show just how dire a city or state's condition is.
Effective Motivation, the 'Sanctity' of Surveys, and Demand-Based Pricing
Plus: Learning from successes, and more management news
Overselling the Economic Crisis, Transcript Tribulations, and Furlough Follies
Plus: An update on government swag, and more management news
Government Swag: Pros and Cons
Local leaders differ on whether government-branded freebies and trinkets are worth the money.
Effectively Engaging the Public
There's more to keeping in touch with constituents than public hearings.
Leading by Example, Repairing New Orleans' Government, And Race to the Top Reforms
Plus: Who to follow on Twitter, and more management news
Swag Smack-Down, Confusing Food Stamp Math, And Counting Elephants
Plus: Police Unions in Wisconsin, And More Management News
The Legislative Funding Flaw
When state legislatures pass new programs but don't fund them, they may do more harm than good.
Dashboard Confessionals, Eliminating Duplicative Services, and Henry Ford on Innovation
Plus: Watching California's Jerry Brown, and more management news
When Social Media Works Best, The Illinois Outlier, And Bankruptcy Boogeymen
Plus: Good News for Counties, And More Management News
Using Data to Guide Education Policymaking
Louisiana learns to use information about its students to create real-life benefits for them.
Making the Case for Tax Incentives, Slowing Health Spending, and The Price of a Life
Plus: A Small Victory for Detroit, And More Management News
Obstinate Outliers, GPS Trackers and Insufficient Audits
Plus: Recommended reading, short-term thinking and more management news
Overseeing the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act
As the feds help states and cities, a new relationship may be developing.
Working for Big Brother, Performance in Portland, And the Cash Myth
Plus: Giving oversight some teeth, looking at some pretty graphics, and more management news
Cutting Medicaid Costs, The Problem With Vision, And Scary Thoughts on Schools
Plus: Manager must-reads, the importance of good data, and more management news
Administrative Cuts Affect Governments' Functionality
Deep managerial workforce cuts change how tightly and rightly governments run.
Why The Public Distrusts Government, The 'Best' Performance Measures, And More
Plus: measuring student achievement, balancing state budgets, and more management news.
Getting Citizens to Care, Fixing Civics Education, And How Government is Like a Hockey Puck
Plus: The cost of rules, how bikes saves lives, and more management news.
Prioritizing and Revamping the Budgeting Process
States and localities should prioritize top goals and revamp the budgeting process.
The Good Book
A new report on making results-based state government work is chock- full of commonsense recommendations.
Training Wheels
Most states can't tell you, with any authority, how much agencies spend on training or how wisely they spend it.
Unruly Rules, Preaching Against Government Waste, And Legislating Inoculations
Plus: City Budget Cuts, Stimulus Strains, And More Management News
Grading on a Curve, Setting Goals in Public, And Cutting for Tax Cuts
Plus: A New Budget Gimmick, And More Management News
Forgetting the Economic Cycle Already?
In boom times, states forget the bust years. That’s worrisome as revenues show signs of life.
Plugging Leaks
Fifteen years ago, when a new business tried to put down roots in Kansas, the business owner had to mail in a paper registration and...
Baiting Hooks
Tax incentives have long been endorsed as the highway to prosperity -- attracting businesses, providing jobs and enriching the state. That's been conventional wisdom in...
Staying Stable
We'd always take a tax cut, of course," says David Johnson, the former chairman of the Ohio Manufacturers' Association. Nothing surprising in those words, but...
Growth & Taxes
It's been known for a long time that obsolete state tax systems are not producing the revenue states need. But what's becoming clear today is...
Breathing Room
On January 29, Florida's voters will decide whether to approve a constitutional amendment -- sent to them by the state legislature -- that would set sharp...
Manager's Reading List
A running list of must-reads for public managers, suggested by readers of The B&G Report
Many Happy Tax Returns
States and the federal government might be able to save a fair amount of money if they paid attention to some developments in Oregon, according...
Measuring Livability and Performance
The Oregon Progress Board was created in the late 1980s to develop statewide livability indicators and monitor progress on Oregon's statewide strategic plan. It certainly...
Resume Follies
Credentials may be important, but the skills, abilities, knowledge and behavior of applicants are at least equally so.
Going for the Goal
Applying the principles of managing for results to running a child's soccer team leads to some unexpected outcomes.
In-House Outlaws
Catching every bit of fraud in government can result in what a county official calls 'spending a dime to chase a nickel.'
Proof Positive
Louisiana has undergone a sea change in the use of performance information. Managing for results is working there.
The Centralization Continuum
States and local governments have been swinging like a pendulum between powerful and weak central controls.
Suggestion-Box Sickness
Employee idea boxes seem like an obvious way to foster the ballyhooed notion of `continuous improvement.' So why don't they work?
Coming To Terms
Fuzzy language is a big impediment to good management--and to understanding the way government really works.
Applauding a Performance
A new report can help agency officials and lawmakers use performance measures more effectively.
Control Freaks
States and localities probably spend more money enforcing incredibly restrictive rules than they lose on waste and fraud.
A Mental Case
Even as doubts grow about using performance data in budgeting, mental health agencies provide fresh evidence of the benefits.
Checking Out Reality
One of the easiest ways to balance a budget is simply to predict savings that may or may not ever come to pass.
Forward Pass
It's important to understand that five-year forecasts are going to be wrong, but it's good to do them anyway.
Keeping Secrets
Regardless of real-world pressures, data should be made public. Absent good information, bad information will prevail.
The Prized Employee
Governments are in the position of trying to reward good performers-- without being able to give raises or bonuses.
A Data Deficiency
The lack of good information to help voters make intelligent decisions on ballot measures is startling.
Numbers, Crunched
If budgets are financial plans, then CAFRs tell you what happened to the plan. So why don't more people pay attention to them?
Bad-News Budgeting
When revenues dry up, states and localities tend to make cuts that leave them less able to deliver services effectively.
A Case of Neglect
Why Health Care Is Getting Worse, Even Though Medicine Is Getting Better
Ending the Gotcha Game
The more managers are free to admit an impending failure without fear of being throttled, the better off a government will be.
Bye, Bye Early Bird
A late budget is a clear sign that unproductive politics are overwhelming a government's sensible management.
When Less Is Not More
Some agencies don't gather data that could help them manage better-- because it might make them look bad.
The Rise of Cost Accounting
Governments are finally beginning to figure out how to develop solid figures for the cost of the services they provide.
A Heads Up On Hype
Overselling a project can have unfortunate consequences, among them earning the distrust of legislators.
Truth in Measurement
Verifying the accuracy of statistics generated by performance measures seems to be the last step in the process.
Getting the Grouse Out
Problems crop up when the grievance process is so complex and time- consuming that it stifles managers and employees.
You Can't Bank On It
When a state or local agency has money left at the end of the year, a spendthrift mentality tends to take over.
The Terminator
Even for those governments that have mechanisms to hasten the firing process, it can still be laborious to get rid of deadwood.
Paying the Bill
States need a more careful process of estimating the future financial impact of legislation before legislators pass it.
Making Comparisons
People may not care how clean the average street is, but they sure want to know how their street compares to others.