Management
Medicare help line needs improvement, GAO finds
Audit shows that fewer than two-thirds of callers got complete and accurate answers.
Management
Bush to call for public-private transportation partnerships
Transporation Secretary Norman Mineta said such partnerships can save time and can cut construction costs by up to 40 percent.
Management
Acquisition councils back share-in-savings contracts
Decision will likely expand the use of the controversial contracting method outside of the technology arena.
Management
Minor Adjustments
Often, the best outcome is incremental improvement, not the kind of jump in management effectiveness that agencies need.
Management
U.S. diplomats will have to serve in dangerous posts
New State Department policies implemented in wake of 9/11 will require demanding service for professional advancement.
Defense
Former commander calls for new military-civilian planning organization
Problems in Iraq were realized years ago, but government did not force interagency planning, says retired Marine general.
Management
Order severing Interior Web connections in error, court rules
Appeals court strikes down judge's order to cut Interior's Internet connection because of deficient IT security.
Management
Agencies get financial reports out more quickly, but quality dips
Fewer agencies received clean audits for fiscal 2004; some say they needed more time.
Tech
Treasury Department taps AT&T for new telecom system
Contract for Treasury Communications Enterprise could be worth $3 billion over a decade.
Management
HHS chief fuels speculation ex-House Speaker Gingrich will succeed him
Newt Gingrich might be interested in running HHS, according to outgoing Secretary Tommy Thompson.
Management
Postal Service reports progress on transformation plan
Agency reduced workforce by 68,000 and increased productivity by 5 percent during the past two years.
Management
GAO, scholars push for governmentwide personnel reform guidelines
Agencies warn that not complying with personnel reform could fracture the civil service.
Management
Consultants pitch services to federal property managers
New executive order creates sudden demand as agencies have to list inventory and develop strategic plans.
Management
New initiatives at Labor Department lead to high scores
Finance chief envisions “something totally different,” and implements a new financial management system.
Management
It Takes a Bureaucracy
Defining and serving the government customer isn't as simple as it sounds.
Management
Contractors, others spar over proposed acquisition rule change
Agencies would be allowed to use contracts based on time and expenses when purchasing commercial services.
Management
Government needs a new management style, scholars say
Networking with contractors and other agencies should be a priority of leaders.
Defense