How to Make Your Government Agency More Innovative

Tom Fox | Washington Post | June 5, 2012

The words innovation and government may not be synonymous, but “the times, they are a-changin.” Last month, the White House launched a Presidential Innovation Fellows program that will bring in 15 innovators from outside government to provide expertise on five technology projects. ... Within 24 hours of the announcement, more than 600 people applied to come to Washington for at least six months to work with federal employees on projects aimed at making government more effective and more accountable.

The projects, led by Chief Technology Officer Todd Park and Chief Information Officer Steven VanRoekel, include developing a process that makes it easier for the federal government to procure innovative technology solutions from small, high-growth companies; creating an electronic payment system for government transactions involving foreign aid and U.S. operations overseas; and streamlining an online system for citizens in need of federal services.

This new effort is significant not only because it may result in positive change and improved government, but because it will be a showcase for public- and private-sector collaboration that could be expanded in the future and greatly benefit leaders and their agencies.