Tools for Reform

Here are four strategies that can be catalysts for organizational change. The first two require a greater commitment, but can produce the most significant results. The third and fourth won't take many resources or new authority, but will have more limited impact.

1. Reorganization authority:

From 1932 to 1984, Congress granted most presidents the authority to propose reorganizations and gave the proposals expedited consideration. That authority should be reauthorized, and the ground rules for exercising it, such as limiting it to specific government functions or agencies and establishing a framework for personnel policies, should be set out by Congress.

2. A commission:

Congress and the president should create a bipartisan commission to study how a mission-centered reorganization can enhance government performance. Much of the groundwork for the Homeland Security reorganization in 2002 and the intelligence reorganization under consideration today was done by the Hart-Rudman

Commission on National Security/21st Century and the 9/11 commission.

3. E-government:

Often referred to as "virtual reorganization," e-government has improved citizen access to and use of government programs and services. Benefits.gov and Recreation.gov, for example, bring together programs housed in different agencies in a single virtual location. This ongoing effort should be continued and expanded.

4. Coordinating councils:

Working across office and agency lines, coordinating councils can greatly enhance governmentwide performance for a program or project. The Y2K Coordinating Council is a leading example. New mission-centered programs that cross agency lines should be established.