How Do Agencies Deal With Turf Wars?
I have a question from a GovLoop member that I'm hoping you can weigh in on. This member said his biggest challenge at work is getting two agencies with the same or similar mission to work together. His particular example is about army agencies, though I think his challenge can apply to other fields.
For example, I'm interested in working for the federal government in an agency related to the environment/conservation/sustainability. In my job search, I'm finding that there are so many more departments and agencies that work in these areas: Fish and Wildlife Service, General Services Administration, Environmental Protection Agency, National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, Forest Service... the list goes on. Do these step on each others' toes? How do they work together to get information?
Do you have examples of how your agency works with other agencies that have similar missions?
Tags: agencies, army, collaboration, communications, leadership
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Andrew Krzmarzick on -
One group that I like to cite is the Interagency Network of Enterprise Assistance Providers (INEAP):
What's great about this group is that they also connect federal agencies to state and local governmental entities to solve regional challenges. Check 'em out.
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Permalink Reply by Hannah Ornell on -
Andy, this is a perfect example! Here's a quote from their site that sums up their collaboration to help out small businesses:
"INEAP was created to foster collaboration among the sometimes-viewed-as-disparate federal agencies and other entities tasked with improving the competiveness of US-based small business."
Are there equivalent organizations for other areas like education, health care, energy?
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Permalink Reply by Alan L. Greenberg on -
A wise early boss of mine once said "Where you sit is where you stand." What you are saying about working together (or in some cases, not together, sounds a bit like our Congress.
Seriously though, of the agencies you cite, EPA is regulatory, The others are operational but which must comply with EPA guidelines. I don't believe they "step on each others toes." It is more likely that they complement each other.
Hope this helps. Good luck.
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Permalink Reply by Hannah Ornell on
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That's a good distinction to make, thank you Alan.
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Permalink Reply by David B. Grinberg on -
Three words for gov agencies: Memorandom of Understanding -- or MoU.
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Permalink Reply by Hannah Ornell on
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Good point, David. I actually just filled out my first one of these last week with an non-profit I'll be consulting for. I didn't realize that they are a common practice in government too. I appreciate the input.
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