People

Fiscal year-end spending: Does 'use it or lose it' still rule?

Since 2001, the Office of Management has championed a number of ideas or programs intended to bring order to federal IT spending. But has it really made a difference?

People

Mythbuster: Federal workers not overpaid, senator asserts

News stories charging that federal employees are grossly overpaid are based on "a flawed reading of statistical data," according to Sen. Ted Kaufman.

People

Senators press OMB nominee on contracting reforms

Senators questioned Obama's nominee for OMB director during his confirmation hearing, getting insights on how he would run the agency.

People

Panel recommends national disaster database for DOD

A panel created by Congress recommends creating a central federal/defense data depository to track disaster response efforts and nearly 40 other measures to improve how the Defense Department supports civilian authorities for disaster responses.

People

OMB's new approach for IT financial system projects may be risky, GAO says

While the White House celebrates $760 million in savings from its new strategy for agency upgrades to financial systems, the GAO has published a report cautioning about risks.

People

Group charges State with penalizing officers seeking mental heath treatment

A group of current and former State Department employees say the department's security clearance revocation process unfairly penalizes Foreign Service officers for seeking mental health treatment.

People

OPM reports progress on hiring reforms

Agencies are making progress in streamlining the federal hiring process as they field plans to eliminate unnecessary paperwork and cut the amount of time it takes to fill vacant positions.

People

White House takes whack at financial management money pits

White House officials have finished the first round of changes to troubled financial system modernization projects across the government after freezing spending on 20 such projects in July.

People

White House set to monitor federal performance goals online

President Barack Obama addressed about 8,000 federal managers in the Senior Executive Service today to gain their support for six performance improvement strategies.

People

Speaking truth to PowerPoint

PowerPoint opponents and defenders ponder the ramifications of a recent dust-up about DOD’s reliance on the presentation software.

People

Best place to work? Check the corner office.

The most important factor in determining employee satisfaction is an agency’s top leadership, according to an annual survey.

People

Failure? Bring it on!

GovLoop members have been discussing the merits of failure for improving personal and government performance, writes Andrew Krzmarzick.

People

VA mailed it in on FLITE contract, IG says

The Veterans Affairs Department's FLITE financial system modernization got behind schedule partially because VA personnel missed conference calls with the contractor, according to a new report.

People

Government's location-specific apps need clear context

What responsibility will agencies have when location-specific government data is delivered to smart phones?

People

Army launches 'don't ask, don't tell' inbox

The intent of the inbox is to help the Army assess and consider whether repeal of the law would reduce operational readiness or unit cohesion.

People

Insourcing still a go for the military

Military and Defense Department agencies can continue insourcing even though Defense Secretary Gates has acknowledged the program doesn't work.

People

Telework pilot projects: From acclimation to adaptation and adoption

One of the most effective ways to overcome management resistance to telework is to start with a pilot project, experts say.

People

4 reasons why managers resist telework--and why they might be wrong

We asked federal managers to share their concerns about telework and then asked management experts to address those concerns. The bottom line? It all comes down to performance management.

People

GSA's former chief financial officer tackles a leadership void

Kathleen Turco jumped at the opportunity to be associate administrator of governmentwide policy at the General Services Administration earlier this year — in part because she saw an opportunity to fill a leadership vacuum.

People

Workforce morale can be sapped by unskillled managers

A recent study shows that employees are often dissatisfied with supervisors who have technical rather than managerial chops, writes columnist Steve Kelman.