This post first appeared on IBM Business of Government. Read the original article.
Highlighting articles and insights in public management and leadership that we have found interesting for the week ending May 13, 2022
Former deputy federal CIO Roat leaned on her relationships to achieve results. “Whoever’s coming in, really needs to pay attention to the budget cycle. It’s not moving the needle for just next year, it’s moving the needle for the out years, when you’re thinking through budget,” said Roat, who became the deputy federal CIO in 2020. “I would also tell whoever’s coming in to really build out the relationship with OMB, the desk officers in the Office of the Federal CIO. Their relationships with the agencies is so important
Open Source Software Key to Modernizing DoD Systems, USAF CIO Says. Open source software could be the key to modernizing and updating the Department of Defense’s (DoD) weapons and communications systems with software patches and updates, according to U.S. Air Force CIO Lauren Knausenberger. “It is entirely possible that a future conflict to preserve our way of life is decided by features, fixes, and updates to software intensive systems that must take place in minutes or hours,” said Knausenberger during her testimony May 11 before a joint hearing of the House Subcommittees on Investigations and Oversight, and on Research and Technology.
House Clears Fed Cyber Rotational Bill, Supply Chain Measure. The House of Representatives approved a pair of bills May 10 to bolster Federal cybersecurity by creating a Federal cybersecurity rotational workforce program and developing a training program for Federal officials with supply chain risk management responsibilities.
OMB names 5 priority areas to improve interagency customer experience, as IRS also tackles citizen services. The administration is telling agencies to prioritize customer experience improvements around five cross-cutting areas. These include helping members of the public who are approaching retirement, recovering from a disaster or transitioning from active-duty military service. Agencies are also directed to improve services that support low-income mothers and children, as well as those suffering from a sudden financial loss who may be newly eligible for public assistance programs. Pam Coleman, associate director for performance and personnel management at the Office of Management and Budget, said in a blog post.
Agencies must pick two workforce focuses for the next four years from OPM priority list. Agencies have to choose two out of four new focus areas to help improve their workforce over the next four years. Deciding which options are most impactful gives agencies flexibility in how they approach new workforce objectives from the Office of Personnel Management. Although OPM’s federal workforce priorities report, released on May 10, asks agencies to focus on only two of the four focus areas, implementing all four can help agencies resolve bigger workforce issues.
How COVID-19 impacted staffing at the military’s hospitals and clinics. During the COVID-19 pandemic, staffing the nation’s healthcare facilities has been a challenge pretty much across the board. But the military’s hospitals and clinics faced special circumstances.
Spy agencies look to standardize use of open source intelligence. Spy agencies are starting to organize around a set of common standards and data for using open source intelligence, but challenges remain.
Why every leader needs a strong deputy. Early Antarctic expeditions teach the value of a second in command who can foster team cohesion and serve as a sounding board for their boss, writes Brad Borkan. “And it helps with succession planning: having a proven and experienced second-in-command means that it’s easier for the leader to move higher in the organization, because there is someone to step into their former role who can ensure continuity and consistency,” Borkan writes. Strategy+Business
Speak clearly and simply to help people understand you. Don’t assume everyone understands the meaning of the industry-specific jargon you’re using, especially because many people won’t admit that they’re confused, writes John Millen. Regularly checking in for comprehension “opens the door for real questions, dialogue and connection,” Millen writes. John Millen blog
6 ways to engage employees’ passion at work. Leaders who unlock employee passion rather than employee engagement understand that intrinsic motivation is more desirable than external motivators such as pay or praise, writes Naphtali Hoff. “Look beyond people’s knowledge, talents and experiences to see what makes them tick and what kind of work will really get them going,” Hoff writes. SmartBrief/Leadership
Here are tips for managing your time better. Productivity is a combination of how effective you are with your time and how efficient you are, writes Paul B. Thornton, who offers several tips for managing tasks, decluttering, delegating, scheduling uninterrupted time and saying “No” more often. “When you are clear about your top priorities, you make better decisions and feel less stressed,” Thornton writes. SmartBrief/Leadership4 areas where strategic planning still matters. The pandemic may have thrown off everyone’s plans, but strategic planning remains an important skill, argues Rob Sheehan of the University of Maryland’s business school. Sheehan outlines four areas to focus on including scenario planning, organizational resilience and identifying key assumptions. Insights With Impact
Next Week on The Business of Government Hour: Enabling a More Resilient Supply Chain Strategy for the Nation: A Conversation with Prof. Rob Handfield. Why is the global supply chain so vulnerable? How can a modern supply chain strategy leverage shared service models to increase efficiency and productivity? What is Supply Chain Immunity? Join host Michael Keegan as he explores these questions and more with Dr. Rob Handfield, author of Enabling a More Resilient and Shared Supply Chain Strategy for the Nation: Lessons Learned from COVID-19 a special report from the IBM Center for The Business of Government and the Shared Services Leadership Coalition.
Broadcast Schedule: The show airs Monday at 11 a.m., and Friday at 1 p.m. on Federal News Network 1500AM WFED
Anytime, Anywhere on...
https://www.podcastone.com/the-business-of-government-hour
https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-business-of-government-radio-hou