Author Archive

Andrew Feldman

Andrew Feldman

Andrew Feldman (Andy) is the founder and principal consultant at the Center for Results-Focused Leadership, which helps public agencies use evidence, data and strategy to strengthen their impact. He also hosts the Gov Innovator podcast, with more than 160 interviews for results-focused leaders. His previous roles include director at Grant Thornton, visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution's Center for Children and Families, special advisor for evidence-based policy at the Education Department, and special advisor on the Evidence Team at the White House Office of Management and Budget. A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he has a B.A. in economics from Swarthmore College, an M.P.P. from the Harvard Kennedy School, and a Ph.D. in public policy from Harvard University. He is a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.
Andrew Feldman (Andy) is the founder and principal consultant at the Center for Results-Focused Leadership, which helps public agencies use evidence, data and strategy to strengthen their impact. He also hosts the Gov Innovator podcast, with more than 160 interviews for results-focused leaders. His previous roles include director at Grant Thornton, visiting fellow at the Brookings Institution's Center for Children and Families, special advisor for evidence-based policy at the Education Department, and special advisor on the Evidence Team at the White House Office of Management and Budget. A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, he has a B.A. in economics from Swarthmore College, an M.P.P. from the Harvard Kennedy School, and a Ph.D. in public policy from Harvard University. He is a fellow of the National Academy of Public Administration.
Management

A Personal-Growth Strategy for Effective Leadership

Everyone has weaknesses and character flaws. Leaders who proactively seek help with those challenges will be better executives, managers and colleagues.

Management

Government Leadership and the Power of Mindfulness

By teaching themselves to move beyond impulsive reactions, executives can become more thoughtful—and more effective.

Management

One Key to Making a Leadership Offsite a Success: Logic Models

It's a way to weave evidence into the agenda of a leadership strategy session, providing a real chance for actionable takeaways or recommendations.

Management

Why Biden's Embrace of Evidence in Policymaking Is Just What We Need Right Now

A new presidential memo signals commitment from the very top to the use of data and science at a time when the country is confronted by major crises, two experts say.

Management

Biden's Opportunity to Make Performance Reporting Work a Lot Better

The White House should go beyond simply reversing what the previous administration did and use data to improve outcomes through true results-driven governance.

Management

How the Biden Administration Can Supercharge Results by Using Evidence

Believe it or not, there has been progress over the last four years in the use of evidence and data to inform decision-making. The new administration can build on those gains.

Management

It’s Time to Fix the Frayed Relationships Feds Have With States and Localities

Program implementation is as important as underlying policy. A new focus on intergovernmental collaboration could foster innovation and improve outcomes.

Management

Coming Soon: A Short Window for Improving Federal Agencies’ Performance

For career executives, the time between the presidential election and the inauguration is an opportunity to use evidence and data to advise incoming political appointees on what works and what doesn't.

Management

Why Agencies Need to Spend a Little to Gain a Lot

Innovation funds have the potential to turn up effective and less expensive ways to confront today's challenges.

Management

6 Ways the Next Administration Could Use Evidence-Based Policy to Advance Social Justice

Using data and research to improve program outcomes may not make for a catchy campaign slogan, but it can go a long way toward reducing economic and racial disparities.

Management

The Evidence-Based Policy Revolution Waiting to Happen

Government decision makers need to know more than whether a program works. They also need to know whether it's cost-effective.

Management

Why Your Agency Should Have an Evaluation Policy Now

It’s necessary to comply with the Evidence Act, but it also provides a critical foundation for making the most out of the new law.

Management

The Opportunity Agencies Should Seize

Federal agencies are now required to produce learning agendas. Here’s how to make them useful.

Management

Think Government Can’t Do Anything Quickly and Cheaply? Think Again.

Looking to build a “test, learn and adapt” culture, federal agencies have conducted dozens of rapid, low-cost experiments over the last few years.

Management

The Missing Piece in OMB’s Push for High-Value Government

The administration should seize the opportunity to catalyze high-value work at all levels of government.

Management

Social Science? Data Science? Evidence-Based Government Needs Both

Results-focused leaders need to get savvy about both if they want to catalyze a culture of continuous improvement.

Management

What Government’s Broken Strategic Planning Needs: Evidence

Instead of trying to create the perfect strategic plan, agencies should aim to get better at learning what works.