Making Government Efficient and Effective

Linux for Serious computing

2010-04-23T17:01:00.001-07:00

For those of us that are still wondering if open source has a role for mission critical application, the business site Focus has put together an impressive collection of examples.

It was not long ago when Microsoft Windows had a tight stranglehold on the operating system market. Walk into a Circuit City or Staples, it seemed, and virtually any computer you took home would be running the most current flavor of Windows. Ditto for computers ordered direct from a manufacturer. In the last decade, though, the operating system market has begun to change. Slightly more than 5% of all computers now run Mac, according to NetMarketShare.com. Linux is hovering just beneath 1% of the overall market share in operating systems. And although that might sound like a small number, Linux is far more than just a fringe OS. In fact, it's running in quite a few more places than you probably suspect. Below are fifty places Linux is running today in place of Windows or Mac. For easy reading, they are divided amongst government, home, business, and educational usage.

For full article go to 50 Places Linux is Running That You Might Not Expect

GSM Calls cracked with $1500 and OS Software

2010-01-05T03:00:00.001-08:00

In news that should concern any Government Agency or business person darkreading has published news of a planned presentation on just how easy and cheap it is to crack GSM phone calls with current technology. GSM is an encryption that 80% of mobile phone companies relies on to keep conversations secure. Maybe that was appropriate when the standard was adopted, but increased computer power and algorithm development has overturned that view.

Researchers Prepare Practical Demonstration Of GSM Encryption Cracking Technology - wireless security/Security - DarkReading

"GSM has been considered insecure for some years -- however, it is a huge development that the theoretical attack on the GSM encryption cipher is now a reality," says Stuart Quick, operations manager at Henderson Risk Ltd., a London-based security and risk management services firm. "There is now a very real and imminent threat that GSM voice communications will be compromised, and users must start to consider how they can increase the security of their valuable/commercially sensitive calls they make."

The demonstration could also cause some companies to consider separate encryption of cell phone calls, according to one vendor that offers such technology. "Our research shows that 79 percent of organizations discuss confidential or sensitive information at least weekly on mobile phones," says Simon Bransfield-Garth, CEO Cellcrypt Ltd. "The news that GSM has been cracked will be very worrying for anybody who discusses valuable or confidential information over their mobile phone."

Twitter guidelines Template Shared by UK

2009-08-05T19:22:00.001-07:00

The US Marines have just announced the banning of Social media tools over their network. That is one strategy, but problematic where users are not isolated on overseas posts. Organisations and Government Agencies generally have to come to terms with the fact that many of their employees are connected. If not at work, then certainly at home. Moreover, a total ban prevents effective use of a potentially powerful work tool. The generous offer to share his work by Neil Williams offers a good basis for organisations to develop their own strategy document for Twitter.

Template Twitter strategy for Government Departments

Template Twitter strategy for Government Departments
by Neil Williams 21. July 2009 10:39

Guest post by Neil Williams, head of corporate digital channels at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS). Neil blogs at http://neilojwilliams.net/missioncreep and is @neillyneil on Twitter.

You might think a 20-page strategy a bit over the top for a tool like Twitter.

After all, microblogging is a low-barrier to entry, low-risk and low-resource channel relative to other corporate communications overheads like a blog or printed newsletter. And the pioneers in corporate use of Twitter by central government (see No 10, CLG and FCO) all started as low-profile experiments and grew organically into what they are today.

But, having held back my JFDI inclinations long enough to sit down and write a proper plan for BIS's corporate Twitter account, I was surprised by just how much there is to say - and quite how worth saying it is, especially now the platform is more mature and less forgiving of mistakes.

So in case it's of use to others who are thinking of doing the same, I've turned BIS's Twitter strategy into a generic template Twitter strategy for Departments (PDF file) [Scribd version ]

Lesson from the Challenge of Open government

2009-08-05T19:15:00.001-07:00

Several Government organizations in Australia, US and UK have been experimenting with engaging Citizens in the process of Government. There's a big gap between expectations and the responses. I'm concerned at the number of people that take the opportunity to 'vent their spleen' with off topic and sometimes quite rude behaviour. Federal computer week has this report analysing the approach the US Government has taken, and what can be done differently. It's worth a read for anyone interested in Gov2.0 initiatives.

Open Government Initiative provides plenty of lessons -- Federal Computer Week

How Lena Trudeau would do things differently the next time the government seeks citizen engagement

* By Brian Robinson
* Jul 15, 2009

President Barack Obama’s Open Government Initiative states its mission simply: create a two-way dialogue between the American people and their government and develop policies that benefit from the diverse perspectives of an engaged citizenry.

An experiment in online policy development

The first work order for the Obama administration’s Open Government Initiative is to develop a formal directive that will establish the ground rules for a more open and transparent government.

One method chosen to help complete this task was itself open and transparent: a three-phase series of public online forums, each featuring a different collaboration tool and each with its own goals.

* Phase I: Brainstorm. Members of the public were invited to share their ideas on how to make government more open. Site visitors could post ideas, discuss and refine others' ideas, and vote the best ones to the top.
* Phase II: Discuss. Blog posts generated online responses and discussions about the best ideas identified during the brainstorming phase.
* Phase III: Draft. Participants could use a wiki — think of a collective word-processing document — to collaborate on policy proposals to address the challenges identified in the discussion phase.

But first, the administration wanted to have a public dialogue about how future dialogues might best take place. The meeting spot they chose for the kick-off confab was online, through a series of three Web-based forums during a six-week period starting in May.

But a funny thing happened on the way to collective enlightenment. People have a lot on their minds, and given a platform to say it, particularly a national one, they will say it, whether it’s on topic or not.

Last week, Federal Computer Week asked three experts to assess the methods and results of OGI’s preliminary experiment in online public engagement.

Can UI be an Access Issue

2009-08-02T23:58:00.001-07:00

Techpresident has reported on the developing interest in access to Government information through an interesting perspective - 'obfuscating' user interface.

FCC.gov: Political Exclusion Through Bad UI | techPresident
FCC.gov: Political Exclusion Through Bad UI
Nancy Scola | June 17, 2009 - 12:43pm | 1 comment | Email This!

There was one illuminating exchange in yesterday's otherwise vapid Senate confirmation hearing of Julius Genachowski. Senate Commerce Committee Chair Jay Rockefeller (D-WV) raised the idea that the impression that the Federal Communications Commission is "captured by industry" isn't helped by the fact that, to borrow from a 2007 GAO report, "it is nearly impossible to find information on the FCC's website...and much of the data filed with the commission is not even accessible online." Meanwhile, said Rockefeller, FCC staffers are personally calling telecom industry stakeholders to let them know when important votes and other events are coming up.

In other words, the FCC's website at FCC.gov is a case study in obfuscation through ugliness, an unequal political playing field tilted worse by horrid user interface. Genechowski, who studiously avoided making any news during the hearing, responded in broad strokes: "If confirmed, my goal would be for the FCC website and new media operation to be a model for the government." But the exchange still puts a new point on why new media work is so important, no more so than at a powerful agency like the FCC.

Using the Meltdown for Effective Change in Government

2009-04-24T18:46:00.001-07:00

The Meltdown is an opportunity to reorganise Government as well as Business. New York Times has published an article (referred by @timoreilly - thanks). It's really critical to implement Government Service Transformation. As John Suffolk (UK CIO)recently said "You can't shrink to greatness." We can't just cut costs; we have to create more value.

Op-Ed Contributor - Small-Town Big Spending - NYTimes.com

One is the observation of Rahm Emanuel, the White House chief of staff, that “you never want a serious crisis to go to waste.” Another comes from my boss, Jeff Immelt, the chief executive of General Electric, who has warned, “This is not a cycle; it’s a reset.”

Taken together, these remarks challenge us to go beyond trying to quickly fix the immediate problems of toxic mortgages, risky banks, a struggling American car industry and escalating health care costs. If the American people are tuned into the need to change the irresponsible, inefficient practices and systems that created those problems, why not enlist them to take the next step and radically change the antiquated public structures that exist beyond the Beltway?

Here are a few examples. It’s estimated that New York State has about 10,500 local government entities, from townships to counties to special districts. A year ago a bipartisan state commission said that New Yorkers could save more than a billion dollars a year by consolidating and sharing local government responsibilities like public security, health, roads and education.

One commission member, a county executive, said, “Our system of local government has barely evolved over the past one hundred years and we are still governed by these same archaic institutions formed before the invention of the light bulb, telephone, automobile and computer.”

New Security Software Bots for Government

2009-02-26T23:49:00.001-08:00

The challenge is to create in depth security. Attacks have become more sophisticated so this network of distributed routines or Bots allows internal coordination of a response and handles multiple attack vectors.

Borg-like cybots may patrol government networks | Military Tech - CNET News

The Oak Ridge National Laboratory has created software that uses colonies of borg-like cyberrobots it says will help government agencies detect and fend off attacks on the nation's computer network infrastructure.

The Ubiquitous Network Transient Autonomous Mission Entities (Untame) differs from traditional security software agents in that its cybot "entities" form collectives that are mutually aware of the condition and activities of other bots in their colony (PDF).

When these cybots detect network intruders, they communicate with one another, preventing cybercrooks from creating and using a diversion in one spot within the network to then break through in another.

3 Disruptive Technologies

2007-01-08T01:51:00.000-08:00

An IBM-sponsored discussion identifying key emerging disruptive technologies. e-Strategy at the cutting edge.

The Positive Impacts of Disruptive Technologies December 11, 2006 Paul Gillin speaks with eWeek editorial director Eric Lundquist about how disruptive technologies are being used in innovative ways to positively shape our lives in the business world and at home. Listen to Eric's fascinating take on three technologies that are sure to have an impact on you, and how you may use them to create value in your enterprise.

Nearly Dean Hubbard

2006-05-05T06:33:00.000-07:00

Columbia Business School Spring 2006 Follies spoof on The Police's "Every Breath You Take" featuring imitation Dean Glenn Hubbard and Fed Chairman Ben Bernanke. The interpretation is that Dean Hubbard hasn't taken the appointment of Chairman Bernanke over himself as well as one could hope.

Open sourcerers - At The Whiteboard - ZDNet

2006-04-28T22:41:00.000-07:00

The momentum in open source support for Government environments is grtowing, and the hybrid development environment is one reason. This little video from zdnet editor Dan Farber is a quick 3 minute overview.

Open sourcerers - At The Whiteboard - ZDNet: "A new breed of software developers is taking advantage of the open-source community and development process, building hybrid applications and creating differentiation on top of open-source standards.

Host: Dan Farber, editor in chief, ZDNet
Length: 00:03:13"

Linux News: Implementation : Governments Go Online -- Without Windows

2006-04-03T04:50:00.000-07:00

More help for e-Government developers through a new portal site.

Linux News: Implementation : Governments Go Online -- Without Windows: "Electronic governance promises to cut corruption and improve transparency, and open source Latest News about open source software offers a way to break South Asia's technological dependence on industrialized countries, experts say.

Open source software such as Linux is non-proprietary, less complex, more efficient and freely available to anyone -- unlike Microsoft's (Nasdaq: MSFT) Latest News about Microsoft Windows operating system, says Mike Reed, director of the United Nations University International Institute for Software Technology (UNU-IIST), based in Macau, China.
Market Domination

'Linux is now the fastest-growing software and powers eight of the 10 fastest supercomputers in the world,' Reed said.

Open source software like Linux is embedded in many types of electronic devices, like mobile phones and cameras. Open source is also starting to cut into the near complete domination of the personal computer market by the Windows operating system, he said."

To assist these e-governance attempts and to help other countries get started, the UNU has established an interactive information clearinghouse on the Internet Get Linux or Windows Managed Hosting Services with Industry Leading Fanatical Support. that it calls UneGov.net.

In addition to having instructional how-to materials online, the portal will make available software and research papers, as well as contact information for others who have or are setting up e-governance in their own countries.

Australian Liberal (Conservative) Administration ex-staffers

2006-03-07T03:42:00.000-08:00

The cheeky and indomitable Crikey.com website has created an interesting list of where many of the staffers from the current administration have gone.
Crikey Website - Where 200 ex Howard staffers are now
There does seem to be an interesting list of lobbyists in the collection.

Making Central Services work

2006-03-06T22:28:00.000-08:00

Support functions don't have to be an overhead on Business Divisions. Using ABM to cost and assess the value of central support services: "The new CEO introduced Activity Based Management (ABM) with aim of building a cost model and, from that, a pricing model. But this was not to be an academic exercise in costing, the CEO also expected solid improvements in central services' effectiveness."

Understanding Information Infrastructure

2006-03-05T19:39:00.000-08:00

I've just stumbled across a guide for Information Architecture. This issue is becoming a major one across Business and Government sectors. Getting all the separate networks to communicate at even a basic level is a major problem for Government so I've provided links to a couple of useful resources.

Understanding Information Infrastructure
provides a good introduction to the issues using meaningful examples.

Roger Clarke would argue that this is nothing new and that he has been writing about it since 1995. His views are to be found at Roger Clarke's annotated Information Infrastructure Bibliography.

The US National Health Information Infrastructure home page has the most recent date of any event (at the time of writing - March 2006) as September 2004. This reflects the difficulties encountered in Australia with Health networks. The National Health Broadband Aggregation project has provided challenges at the basic II level.

The MIT Intelligent Information Infrastructure Project completed in 1997.

And for those that want information to be free, there is the Foundation for a Free Information Infrastructure. ffii.org.

Customer-Centered Six Sigma Initiatives

2005-07-11T21:33:00.000-07:00

Customer-Centered Six Sigma Initiatives: "Dr. Jiju Antony discusses the benefits of customer focus in a Six Sigma deployment." (PDF Format)

Six Sigma, Quality Management, and ISO Articles

2005-07-11T21:30:00.000-07:00

Pros and Cons of Six Sigma Dr. Jiju Antony discusses the limitations of Six Sigma.

Studying Costs and Services. Using BPR to cut the waste from processes and build a University for the future

2005-07-11T21:17:00.000-07:00

Studying Costs and Services. Using BPR to cut the waste from processes and build a University for the future: "The university had suffered from reducing student numbers as a result of changes in the market place. Since it was formed it had endeavoured to be at the forefront of progress in academic delivery and customer access, encompassing a modular approach to education provision. However, competition for students has become increasingly fierce and other universities were rapidly catching up as the sector became more commercial in its approach."

The Balanced Scorecard Institute

2005-07-11T21:10:00.000-07:00

The Balanced Scorecard Institute
(PDF Format) An introduction to applying balanced scorecard techniques that also addresses Public Sector issues.

Research Paper: Performance management system design in a devolved organisation

2005-07-06T18:19:00.000-07:00

PDF Format

This paper is a case study exploring the design of a new performance management system for the UK Environment Agency (11,000 staff, more than 40 discrete management units). The approach adopted was based on best practice 3rd Generation Balanced Scorecard processes and lead to the creation of a total of 44 unique but strategically aligned Balanced Scorecards across the organisation - one of the most complex strategic alignment exercises of this type ever undertaken or reported about in this way. This paper, written jointly by staff from 2GC and the Environment Agency, explores the agency’s rationale for undertaking a redesign of its performance management systems, and how the design approach adopted is compatible with needs of the organisation’s devolved business units. The paper reports that the experience to date has been positive, and concludes with recommendations on future areas of research and ways to approach the issue of measure selection and use within complex devolved organisations.

Outsourcing in Government: Transforming Service Delivery While Controlling Costs - Accenture

2005-07-06T17:21:00.000-07:00

Outsourcing in Government: Transforming Service Delivery While Controlling Costs: "Transforming Service Delivery Requires a More Strategic Approach to Outsourcing

The increasing pressure to improve service delivery in a cost-effective manner compels government executives to optimize their resources more carefully than ever. Following the examples of leaders in the Canadian public sector and around the world, they should explore strategic outsourcing relationships that can transform service offerings while controlling costs and minimizing risks. Four imperatives can guide them:"

Transforming the Public Sector - Accenture

2005-07-06T17:19:00.000-07:00

Transforming the Public Sector: "A select group of government agencies has achieved remarkable results through reform initiatives that have dramatically increased the value of the services they provide. Here is a framework, based on their experiences, that gives public-sector leaders a practical and comprehensive view of the principles and capabilities that contribute to high performance.

By Jane C. Linder and Jeffrey D. Brooks"

HBS Working Knowledge: Organizations: How We Transformed the IRS

2005-07-06T17:14:00.000-07:00

HBS Working Knowledge: Organizations: How We Transformed the IRS:

"Dealing with the Internal Revenue Service is no fun, but it used to be even worse. Here's how former commissioner Charles O. Rossotti braved the ultimate management challenge. A book excerpt and Q&A."

HBS Working Knowledge: Leadership: Getting New Managers Up to Speed

2005-07-06T17:11:00.000-07:00

HBS Working Knowledge: Leadership: Getting New Managers Up to Speed

The usual employee-orientation process needs to be retired. In this article from Harvard Management Update, savvy companies explain how to jump-start the success of new managers. Tip: Set up meetings, use technology, and coach newcomers.

Public Sector Performance: Efficiency or Quality?

2005-07-06T17:03:00.000-07:00

http://www.som.cranfield.ac.uk/som/research/centres/cbp/downloads/May%20-%20Research%20article%20public%20sector%20-%20Short%20version.pdf
Pietro Micheli, Steve Mason, Mike Kennerley
Centre for Business Performance, Cranfield School of Management, Cranfield, MK43 0AL, UK

Analysis of three recent reports regarding the measurement and reporting of the performance of public service delivery (The Gershon Review1; The Office of National Statistics Report “Public Service Productivity: Health”2 and The Atkinson Review3) suggest that published performance information causes problems when debating the performance of public service delivery. Specifically they highlight the following major problems:
- The focus of performance measures and targets is primarily on efficiency rather than outputs and quality of public services;
- The methodologies of calculating performance measures are often flawed and this limitation is mostly ignored when performance is reported;
- Most performance information is delivered to the public through the filter of the media – very few members of the public review the performance information directly.
These points raise concerns about the way in which public sector performance is measured and communicated which should be taken into consideration when debating the performance of service delivery. (A paper providing more in-depth discussion of this analysis4 is available from www.cranfield.ac.uk\som\cbp)