Anonymous, Surfaces, and Gaps

The 1980s Marine Corps doctrine of Maneuver Warfare (MW) heavily focused on the concept of “surfaces and gaps.” Marines, which largely defined themselves with frontal tactical and operational attacks against fortified sites in World War II maritime campaigns, would aim to move through existing weaknesses in the enemy’s line in future campaigns rather than creatingRead… Read more »

The New Ambiguity of “Open Government”

David Robinson and I have just released a draft paper—The New Ambiguity of “Open Government”—that describes, and tries to help solve, a key problem in recent discussions around online transparency. As the paper explains, the phrase “open government” has become ambiguous in a way that makes life harder for both advocates and policymakers, by combiningRead… Read more »

Daily Dose: Union Compiles List of Bills Targeting Federal Employee Wages and Benefits

There’s been a lot of talk lately on GovLoop about potential federal pay freezes, employee reductions, and increases in the amount workers must pay into retirement funds. To increase awareness about the proposals, the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU) has compiled a list of bills aimed at accomplishing the goals listed above. According to theRead… Read more »

Social Media in Government Reading Discussion: Farhad Manjoo’s “True Enough”

This week, we read Farhad Manjoo’s True Enough: Learning to Live in a Post-Fact Society Why I assigned this reading This is the first book we’ve read that throws some cold water on social media in government. The central thesis–to which we’ve all been exposed–is that people have pretty much made up their minds aboutRead… Read more »

The New Ambiguity of “Open Government”

David Robinson and I have just released a draft paper—The New Ambiguity of “Open Government”—that describes, and tries to help solve, a key problem in recent discussions around online transparency. As the paper explains, the phrase “open government” has become ambiguous in a way that makes life harder for both advocates and policymakers, by combiningRead… Read more »

Implementing An Organizational Realignment – Useful Guidelines

With any organizational realignment or restructuring the challenge and real work is in the gritty day-to-day details of implementation. There are a lot issues and risks to identify, address and manage. Realignment can be as small as rearranging a few positions and responsibilities or a major realignment of major divisions, along with changes to theirRead… Read more »

The Atlantic – America at Work

This photo appeared in America at Work in The Atlantic. It’s a fascinating gallery of the diverse range of professions in this country. I love how The Atlantic does photojournalism so was delighted that they chose my picture for inclusion. The photo is from an OccupyDC protest. Living in Washington, I see a lot ofRead… Read more »