People

One mother’s case for performance measurement

Steve Kelman is amused to find that his mother knows intuitively what federal agencies need to learn: One of the best ways to motivate employees is to give them concrete goals.

People

Social media swings tight Mass. Senate race

Scott Brown skillfully used social media to give his candidacy legitimacy and to make his supporters feel personally connected to his campaign.

People

National Cancer Institute seeks tools for electronic data management

The National Cancer Institute expects to issue a request for proposals next month to identify a contractor that can expand use of electronic data.

People

Goddard Space Flight Center names new chief information officer

Adrian Gardner has been appointed as the new CIO for NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center, and will officially assume his duties on Feb. 1.

People

U.S. investment in global research and development falls

North America funded 35 percent of the global research and development in 2007, according to a new report from the National Science Board.

People

Cybersecurity czar's former employer picks new leader

The Information Systems Security Association has chosen someone to take over as president of the International Board of Directors in the wake of Howard Schmidt's departure to the Obama administration.

People

The funniest thing about mandating security certifications

The current push for mandatory security certifications reminds cartoonist John Klossner of America’s Funniest Home Videos.

People

White House forum examines IT, government modernization

Technology alone will not modernize government agencies, new processes are also needed, according to business leaders who participated in a White House forum.

People

Does pay-for-performance harm women?

Some readers argue that performance-based pay systems run the risk of exacerbating personal biases in the federal workplace.

People

How insourcing would work as a New Year's resolution

FCW cartoonist John Klossner envisions what goals an office could meet if it had 100 additional employees.

People

Army iPhone app downloaded 20,000 times

An iPhone application developed by the Army to deliver news has been downloaded more than 20,000 times since its introduction in December.

People

Got USPS mail? There's an app for that!

A free iPhone app from the Postal Services helps users find post offices and track mail via mobile phones.

People

Survey reveals discontent with pay-for-performance plans

Respondents to a Federally Employed Women survey said they were largely dissatisfied with government attempts to replace the General Schedule with pay-for-performance personnel systems.

People

The real reason behind the government brain drain

Federal agencies are so sensitive to the loss of institutional knowledge because their employees tend to stick around so long.

People

Transportation Department attempts to fix suspension delays

The department has struggled to make decisions on whether to exclude companies from federal work and then notify its various offices about the decisions.

People

Govloop's acquisition forum gains traction

The forum is turning into a real meeting place for acquisition professionals to share ideas and get real-time feedback both on broad policy issues and specific projects.

People

Griffin moves into deputy director spot at OPM

The Office of Personnel Management has announced that Christine Griffin has been confirmed in her appointment as deputy director of the agency.

People

NRC looks for public input on open government

Even though independent agencies are exempt from the Open Government Directive, NRC plans to comply with the White House order, according to a Federal Register notice.

People

Looking for new ways to attract young people to government

The Partnership for Public Service tries an interesting approach to filling entry-level jobs in critical areas, writes blogger Steve Kelman.

People

IT at the heart of green efforts

Green doesn't only refer to the environment. In the information technology world, it also refers to saving money and resources by lowering energy costs.