People

Senate bill would cap number of executive branch appointees

Sens. Russ Feingold and John McCain reintroduce legislation they say would cut spending and shrink bureaucracy by reducing the number of executive branch appointees.

People

A new way to think about favoritism in the workplace

Cartoonist John Klossner suggests that everyone just admit that favoritism exists -- and to acknowledge that not all favoritism is bad.

People

How to waste time and talent through acquisition training

Readers respond to blogger Steve Kelman's suggestion that the federal government take a hard look at the content of its acquisition training programs.

People

Panel says DOD needs 'significant improvement' in managing the acquisition process

DOD's antiquated acquisition system and policies present major problems in fulfilling mission needs and contribute to government cost overruns.

People

VA to save $37M through cutbacks in replacement scheduling program

The Veterans Affairs Department expects to generate $37 million in savings by cancelling portions of its Replacement Schedulinig Application Development program.

People

White House memo: Public contests can drive innovation

The Obama administration plans to provide agencies with a Web platform for conducting public challenges.

People

GSA loses senior official to retirement

A top GSA official plans the next phase of his professional life.

People

US clears way for social media to reach human rights activists

An amendment issued by the Treasury Department makes it legal to export Web technologies--such as instant messaging, chat and e-mail, and social networking--to Iran, Sudan and Cuba.

People

Census allows little time to build networks for temporary offices

Computer networks had to be installed at more than 500 temporary Census offices across the country for the 2010 count.

People

People on the move, events in the news

The General Services Administration has picked three new regional administrators.

People

Writing to be heard—and understood—on the Web

The Web could force the federal government to finally shed its legacy of lousy writing.

People

Tackle problems, not mandates, with collaboration

Agencies succeed not when they comply with directives but when they solve problems, writes NAPA's Lena Trudeau.

People

Why technology is not enough

A recent study found that organizations get the most out of technology when they also adopt new management practices, Steve Kelman writes.

People

Agency mission, not technology, should be guide for open government efforts

The top goals and priorities of federal agencies should direct how their open government plans are written, not popular technologies such as Twitter and Facebook, according to two experts helping agencies draft the plans.

People

From the federal blogoshere...

A made-for-TV mystery, a new Navy blog, and TSA says "relax."

People

Who's lurking on that social network?

Do you like to learn your peers' perceptions but don't want to share your own shards of wisdom? Then you may just be a social network lurker.

People

What Does Craig Newmark Recommend?

The founder and chief customer service rep of Craigslist is also a 2010 Federal 100 award winner for his work in helping agencies with citizen outreach.

People

NTIA seeks help in meeting open government mandates

The National Telecommunications and Information Administration is looking for a contractor to build content management and social networking Web sites in its effort to become more open and transparent.

People

DOD strives for consumer-like efficiency

Despite the massive size and complexity of the DOD, leaders at the Pentagon are committed to improving the organization's business processes, according to assistant deputy chief management officer Elizabeth McGrath.

People

Franken amendment sparks debate about government's role in employee relations

Readers sound off on whether the government should withhold payment from companies that make employees sign arbitration clauses.