Dan Chenok

The content discussed at the event was based on two studies that the Center for the Business of Government produced earlier this year.  Below we summarize the content from this discussion, with links to the audio and video files.

In the IBM Center’s new book, Government For The Future:  Reflection and Vision for Tomorrow’ Leaders, we have identified six major trends that have driven government management reforms.  Today we begin a six-part series where we highlight each trend; part one summarizes the course and impact of digital government.   For more detail, see our digital chapter.

In 1998, a group of leaders in the consulting firm PricewaterhouseCoo­pers (PwC) created a new organization: The PricewaterhouseCoopers Endowment for The Business of Government. The Endowment’s goal was simple: to encour­age academic research on topics of import for government managers, and to increase understanding about what works in government.

At any given moment in time, governments in the United States and around the globe are carrying out key missions in service of their citizens, learning from and engaging with partners in other sectors, and acting as cost-effective stewards of public resources. The countless positive daily actions of government leaders go largely unrecognized amidst a constant focus on the highly visible but far smaller set of challenges and problems faced by the public sector.

John Lainhart, a leader and influencer of great impact in the Federal IT security world, sadly passed away last week.  John’s remarkable career spanned both civilian and military leadership roles as a government official, as well as nearly two decades as a successful industry executive that included service as the IBM Center for The Business of Government’s Cybersecurity Fellow.  It is with the highest respect and admiration that we remember John’s great influence in the Federal cybersecurity and audit communities.

I recently had the privilege of learning about the “Civic Digital Fellows” program, an opportunity for innovative college students to help government by developing new technology applications that help agencies deliver their missions more effectively and efficiently.  The story of the program is a great examples of how an entrepreneurial idea can lead to a model of how government can improve performance by accessing new ideas and talent.  The IBM Center is pleased to publish a guest blog from the program’s founder, Chris Kuang, below.

Post 3 (of 3): A Blueprint Discussion on Provenance and Supply Chains

By Guest Bloggers: Thomas Hardjono, MIT Connection Science and Pete Teigen, IBM

With Guest Blogger Pete Teigen, IBM Global Business Services

Today, the government moved forward significantly in the technology space, evidenced by a congressional resolution about the promise of blockchain.  The resolution, authored by Rep. David Schweikert (R-Ariz.) on behalf of the Congressional Blockchain Caucus, notes that “blockchain has incredible potential that must be nurtured through support for research and development and a thoughtful and innovation-friendly regulatory approach.”

Leendert Van Bochoven, Global Lead, Defense & Intelligence, IBM Global Government and Donald Fenhagen, Partner, Department of Homeland Security, IBM Global Business Services contributed to this blog.