Attention, Mr. President: federal management matters

Leaders in government and public policy agree that improving federal management, performance and results depend largely on the efforts of the next President and Congress, according to a report released yesterday by several "good government" organizations. In July, the Reason Public Policy Institute and other groups sponsored a "transition dialogue series" designed to identify challenges and make recommendations on federal management issues for the new administration and the 107th Congress. More than 140 government and public policy leaders participated in four sessions focusing on management and performance improvement; information technology and e-government; civil service reform and human resources; and procurement and contracting. The report, Transitioning to Performance-Based Government, a compilation of suggestions for the next administration on how to better manage the federal government, is based on the dialogue series. "Management matters. It's not that exciting, but it matters," said Carl D. DeMaio, director of the Transitioning to Governance Project, at the Reason Institute. Certain themes pervaded every discussion: the shift to performance-based, results-oriented management in government; the importance of agencies sharing management and performance improvement practices through interagency councils, such as the President's Management Council and the Chief Financial Officers Council; and the call for major reform in each of the four areas discussed. "Performance was king in every one of these sessions," said DeMaio. There is reason to be hopeful that management matters will be a priority in either a Bush or Gore administration. DeMaio said that both Texas Gov. George W. Bush and Vice President Al Gore have strong records of promoting performance-based government and managing for results, and both of their running mates have a great deal of experience in public service. Participants in the transition dialogue cited the 1993 Government Performance and Results Act as critical in laying the framework for a management and performance improvement agenda in government. However, they said that agencies are continuing to struggle with the law's requirements and neither Congress nor the administration have pushed hard enough for compliance. Aside from the House Government Reform Committee and the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, which, DeMaio said, "carry the water on these issues" on Capitol Hill, GPRA is not a priority for the authorizing and appropriating committees. DeMaio urged agencies to work with their stakeholders to get lawmakers' attention. "The Results Act requires the work of all the stakeholders, not just the federal agencies. Congress responds to stakeholder communities," said DeMaio. Other recommendations to the 43rd President and the 107th Congress included from the report included:

• Hold appointees and career managers accountable for management and performance improvement.
• Invest in training and development for the federal workforce.
• Form partnerships and hold dialogues with career employees and their unions early and often.
• Articulate a clear vision for e-government.
• Designate a federal chief information officer.
• Continue the trend toward simplifying the government procurement process.
• Examine alternatives to the A-76 process.