Author Archive
IT Modernization
Is performance measurement a fad that has now come and gone?
Steve Kelman warns that a constant priority under the previous four presidents is getting far less attention from the Biden administration.
People
A ‘friend from the city’ making her mark on government contracting
Steve Kelman reports on a new addition to the cohort of non-traditional government contractors.
Acquisition
A non-traditional IT contractor looks a gift horse in the mouth
Steve Kelman checks in with Agile Six, and that firm's efforts to adapt to labor rates on a major VA contract.
Workforce
The Biden war on administrative burdens
Steven Kelman calls attention to new efforts to reduce red tape.
Workforce
First thoughts on the new President's Management Agenda
Steve Kelman worries that politics may be be too prominent in the Biden administration's blueprint for management reform.
The hard benefits of soft skills
Steve Kelman shares the insights of economist David Deming.
Dealing with negative information about your organization in the social media age
Steve Kelman spotlights recent research on when and how to respond to social disapproval.
Workforce
Young civic tech star featured in Boston Globe
Steve Kelman revisits the work Chris Kuang is doing to bring recent grads into government tech roles.
The brighter side of Facebook
Steve Kelman doesn't dispute Facebook's problems with disinformation and extremism, but he notes that the social media platform can also produce real dialogue and respect -- if one is willing to put in the effort.
Workforce
Earning trust from others -- a CIA veteran's suggestions
Steve Kelman turns to an unusual source for IT leadership lessons.
A government IT 'public benefit corporation' works to benefit the public
Steve Kelman checks in with Nava on the efforts to balance profitable business and civic-minded federal contracting.
What makes hackathons work
Steve Kelman share recent research on how successful hackathon teams turn out functioning products.
Cybersecurity
Government-industry communication, the Soraya Correa way
Steve Kelman takes a look at the former DHS chief procurement officer's push for reverse industry days and other dialogue-drivers.
Cybersecurity
A tribute to Soraya Correa, DHS' procurement icon
Steve Kelman reflects on a 40-year career that brought real innovation to federal acquisition.
Public libraries and government innovation
Steve Kelman notes an example of government reinvention at the very local level.
Acquisition
What ever happened to innovation in government?
Steve Kelman wonders whether the federal IT community has lost its focus on truly transforming the way government functions.
Acquisition
Worries from a Democrat about the Biden administration and federal procurement
Steve Kelman is concerned that the push for more spending with small disadvantaged businesses will detract from the goal of getting the best deal for agencies and taxpayers.
What not to say
Steve Kelman approves of a strategy of avoiding judgmental words and phrases when delivering a critique or bad news.
Next time you want to curse out the media, remember this
Steve Kelman puts his occasional frustrations with stories on the federal government in perspective.
Workforce