Author Archive

Shelley H. Metzenbaum

Shelley H. Metzenbaum was the founding president of the Volcker Alliance. Before that, she served as former associate director for performance and personnel management at the Office of Management and Budget, where she was responsible for setting and implementing the Obama administration’s approach to improving the performance of federal programs. Follow her on Twitter: @Smetzenbaum
Shelley H. Metzenbaum was the founding president of the Volcker Alliance. Before that, she served as former associate director for performance and personnel management at the Office of Management and Budget, where she was responsible for setting and implementing the Obama administration’s approach to improving the performance of federal programs. Follow her on Twitter: @Smetzenbaum
Management

A Missed Opportunity: The Problem With Ignoring Government Performance Information

Federal agencies’ quarterly performance updates, short- and long-term strategic plans, and annual performance reports deserve more attention.

Management

Restore Program Performance Data to the President’s Budget

The Trump Administration’s guidance to remove the data from the president’s budget is counterproductive—federal agencies should be increasing their use of performance information to improve results.

Management

Memo to the President: Performance Accountability, Evidence and Improvement

Bipartisan reflections and recommendations for the next administration.

Management

It’s Time to Cut the Long Lines for Government Services

Nobody likes to wait for service, but we seem to reserve a special level of ire when waiting for government services. There’s a way to change that.

Management

OPM Could Significantly Improve Hiring, But Will It?

The Competitive Service Act provides an opening to help agencies quickly find highly-qualified job candidates.

Management

Obama’s Final Budget Holds Some Surprising Hidden Pearls

Data on issues as varied as crime, disposable income, and heavy drinking offer valuable insight into what’s working and what isn’t in government.

Management

Rethinking Federal Grants Management: From Oversight to Insight

Taxpayers should get a better return on their $600 billion annual investment.

Management

Goal Power: Use It, or It’s Useless

If cross-agency priority goals are viewed as an annoying requirement, they won’t work.

Management

Measuring Success: Will It Play in Peoria?

Small-scale testing of government performance has large-scale payoffs.

Management

​Without Users, Performance Measurement Is Useless

Getting meaningful metrics to the right people drives improvements.

Management

Untying the Knots in the Federal Hiring Process

Much can be done to help agencies share expertise and attract young talent.