Excellence in Government 2014 Recap

On May 12-13, Government Executive Media Group hosted Excellence in Government 2014, bringing together more than 700 federal employees to share ideas on how to improve mission-effectiveness and efficiency across federal agencies. Between speeches from the likes of former U.S. Chief Technology Officer Aneesh Chopra, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsak, and Office of Personnel Management Director Katherine Archuleta, and breakout sessions on workforce planning, data and performance, the future workplace, and more, conference attendees were exposed to a virtual mountain of great ideas and valuable information. To extend the life of the conference's great content, GBC covered many sessions and compiled the following list of recaps.

"Open Data at Core of New Governance Paradigm"

Former U.S. CTO Aneesh Chopra lays out his blueprint for a more open, innovative government. The key, he suggests, lies with each and every government employee.

"U.S. Agriculture Secretary’s 3 Reasons Self-Promotion Matters"

Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack asks federal leaders to assume the role of "man in the arena" and to take pride in the work of the federal government.

"A New Framework for a Troubled Civil Service"

The civil service system for hiring and managing federal employees is quickly becoming obsolete. A new report presented at Excellence in Government 2014 explains why and offers a model for structural reform.

"How Can Agencies Better Conduct Workforce Planning?"

9 out of 10 federal managers say competency data would help with workforce planning, yet fewer than half are collecting it.

"A New Breed of Training for the Federal Workforce"

How can agencies promote long-term learning throughout the changing demographics of the federal workforce?

"Data-Driven Government: So Close, Yet So Far Away"

If agencies are to marry performance with data, they’ll have to invest in their people as well as technology.

"Federal Workspaces Are Changing, the Question Is How?​"

Budget pressures, mandates to reduce space, and promises of productivity are urging agencies to reassess where--and how--people work.

"4 Telework Tips for Federal Managers"

With nearly half of all federal government employees now eligible to telework, what can managers do to be most effective in leading their teams -- regardless of location?

"Leadership, Not Technology, is the Key to Government Innovation"

Government innovation is the talk of the town, but what does it actually look like? The answer is less expensive and technology-intensive than many think.

"How to Make the Most of Underused Space"

How can agencies redesign space to increase headcount or reduce facilities costs?

"The Keys to Effective Government? Collaboration and Employee Morale"

Shared services and thoughtful centralization can help agencies be more efficient.