Streamlining Program Management in Government (S1E37)

Today’s interview has a focus on how to improve program management in the federal government. The wide-ranging discussion presents the opinions of four experienced program managers from a wide range of federal agencies. The respective representatives give an overview of how program management impacts performance. Also, we learn important aspects of program management that involve data: accuracy, transparency, cybersecurity, and collaboration.

The discussion begins with the value of accurate data. In emergency or military situations data is going to be used to make life-or-death decisions. Managers must take pains to check and double-check data for validity.

Dovarius Peoples provides a fascinating insight. He states the Army Corps of Engineers views FEMA as well as the Department of Defense as customers. From his perspective, his organization responds to customer’s needs. If their services are not practical, then they will lose customers and funding. He sits down with customers once a quarter to display programmatic oversight to show how they deliver on time and within budget.

Ted Okada from FEMA addresses the concerns about siloed data. Because of security concerns, much data is in a siloed format; Ted Okada looks at building trust as an important consideration before data is shared. He doesn’t think one can have transparency without building trust within an organization.

Today’s project management in the federal government must assume constant attack. This can be while sitting in the Pentagon or while in a FEMA trailer coordinating assistance to someone in a collapsed building in Miami or a fire in Oregon.

Addressing the impact of COVID, each person expressed an opinion on remote vs. face-to-face meetings. Ted Okada had a fascinating approach to the topic. He referred to something called “Liminal” space.

The idea is, there are kinds of interactions that can be optimized for different tasks. If you are deep into analysis, then a solo experience may be beneficial. A virtual group experience may be best to get a full orb view of the skills in the group. All people agreed that in-person collaboration is the best to generate ideas because nonverbal responses are key to understanding receptivity to ideas.

To view this webinar: One Team, Many Missions: Streamlining Program Management in Government.

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