In an era of data abundance, Federal agencies face the challenge of distilling vast amounts of complex information into actionable insights. To unlock the potential of data to inform strategic decision-making and policy and program implementation, traditional information presentation methods may fall short, occasionally leaving federal leaders without actionable insights.
Intentional collaboration can be the difference between simply completing a task and using innovative ideas to drive long-lasting change. When people come together to share their insights and perspectives, Government agencies can thrive and instill a culture where leaders engage with and listen to employees. In turn, these environments lead to more commitment from employees, as well as better Government agency relationships that help promote working towards strong solutions.
As the United States bounces back from a global pandemic and tackles the climate crisis, citizens' expectations of the Federal Government are higher than ever.
Organizations that clearly define their mission, vision, and values position themselves for success in rapidly changing work environments. These strategic elements serve as a roadmap, helping organizations make decisions and inspire employees. As hybrid work becomes the new normal, embracing a mission delivery culture is vital for organizations to improve individual experience and strengthen their mission for success.
Citizen expectations, digital transformation, new missions and mandates, and budget constraints are just a few of the challenges that Government agencies face so, the need to strategically problem solve happens frequently. Developing effective solutions for the challenges agencies – from tax administration to transportation security to law enforcement – requires a thoughtful and structured approach. These challenges contain myriad independent issues, multiple stakeholders with unique needs and points of view, and (commonly) pre-conceived notions regarding solutions not grounded in fact.
Whether new technology calls on us to innovate in the digital space or stakeholders continue to demand improvements to outdated systems, there is an increasing need for Government innovation and a willingness to accept failure.
The Innovation Checkpoint at McCarran Airport in Las Vegas, which reopened in 2021 is the only airport security checkpoint in the nation that tests new security technology in real time. This collaboration between the Transportation Security Administration and McCarran Airport is one of many examples of organizations implementing an Innovation Mindset to act and use innovative approaches to solve homeland security challenges.
Whether it is responding to a global crisis or packing a moving truck, we all participate in problem-solving in some form each day. Still, too often when we face complex problems at the organizational level, we jump directly into the problem rather than following a fact-based process to address it.
Problem-solving is a fundamental skill in any work environment but following a structured and repeatable approach to problem-solving greatly enhances outcomes.
A great customer experience (CX) depends on efficient, compelling processes. Process improvement sounds simple enough – just identify a few bottlenecks or weak points, reroute processes, teach the new processes to your employees, and congratulate yourself on a job well done. Right?
Process improvement rarely goes this smoothly and they can be particularly difficult for the Federal Government because the size and complexities of the programs leads to processes that become firmly ingrained in day-to-day work and culture. To get it right, the Government must recognize their weak spots and develop a plan that integrates process improvement with their strategy and with organization change management techniques.
Citizens and customers of the government are demanding increased access to more efficient services. Covid-19 has also raised the bar on the need to provide accurate and informative data – in visualizations – to citizens who are becoming savvier about data accuracy and usefulness. Strategic communications are an essential part of raising the bar on customer experience (CX).
Adjusting to a socially distanced work environment is not easy. As time continues to pass, people are looking for ways to connect, brainstorm, and learn something new. To bridge this divide, we deemed May as the “Behavioral Science Month” at Arc Aspicio and rolled out the inaugural, first-of-its-kind Behavioral Science Bowl. As a result, more than 60% of our company jumped into the contest to solve interesting problems and collaborate with others.
