People
Should federal contracting be more like Airbnb?
Steve Kelman believes a lighter touch and a bit more trust could transform today's compliance culture.
Digital Government
Is the federal tech community fed up with Trump?
After the president's provocative appearance with Russia's Vladimir Putin, Steve Kelman finds that some measured, establishment IT leaders are speaking out.
Acquisition
The rise of the microconsultants
Steve Kelman reports that changes to the micropurchase threshold have opened the door to buying services by government credit card -- and predicts that the impact could be huge.
Digital Government
Agile at DOD -- going beyond sticky notes and standing meetings
Steve Kelman reports on how the military is applying agile and DevOps to Pentagon-scale projects.
Digital Government
Code for America, civic tech and DOD
Defense Department digital experts were invited to speak at the recent CfA Summit, and some attendees took offense. Steve Kelman argues that civic tech should embrace such debates.
Digital Government
A new government digital services playbook
Steve Kelman applauds another effort to share knowledge across the contractor community.
Digital Government
China's new challenges to the U.S.
In technology, politics, economics and ideology, the U.S.-China tensions are growing.
Digital Government
How Harvard is helping government do digital better
Steve Kelman reports on the results of a project-based Kennedy School course on public-sector innovation.
Digital Government
USDS in action
Steve Kelman digs into the actual mechanics of a U.S. Digital Service team's partnership with a particular agency.
Acquisition
Striking a blow for agile with DOD weapons systems
If the Defense Department truly embraces agile, Steve Kelman argues, it would be a critical and much-needed tipping point for government innovation.
Digital Government
When the U.S. is a tech laggard
While the United States dominates many areas of IT, Steve Kelman notes that the hotspots for certain sectors are clearly clustered elsewhere.
Digital Government
Just in time for tax season: An IRS example of (online) government at its worst
An experience with online forms drives one of government's most ardent advocates to complain.
Acquisition
Meet the contracting folks who are encouraging new IT vendors
Steve Kelman shares some innovations that can be applied by contracting officers across government.
People
Students recruiting students into federal tech
Steve Kelman checks in with the Coding it Forward fellowship program.
People
Teaching digital government at Harvard today
Steve Kelman sits down with his colleague David Eaves to discuss, among other things, the differences between "digital" and "IT."
Digital Government
Non-traditional IT contractors unite to watch each other's backs
Steve Kelman writes that the nascent Digital Services Coalition could change industry collaboration -- if its members can preserve the culture of trust.
Digital Government
As others see us -- a few surprises
A recent dinner with civil servants from Asia delivered some interesting insights, Steve Kelman writes.
Digital Government
How to have a good debate at your next meeting
Steve Kelman notes that the whole point of meetings is to have substantive discussions. He shares some suggestions for making sure that happens.
Digital Government
More proof that government innovation can come from anywhere
Steve Kelman reports on a creative solution that could save lives in crowded emergency situations.
Digital Government