Streamlining Security?
DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano announced a new department-wide efficiency effort this morning, designed at “challenging every agency, component and office to generate new efficiencies and to promote greater accountability, transparency and customer satisfaction.”
The action directive establishes an Efficiency Review Initiative Steering Committee, composed of key leaders from within DHS offices and component agencies, to meet before the end of the month. The committee will be charged with identifying and developing strategies to reduce costs, streamline processes, eliminate duplication and improve transparency and customer service.
Napolitano also charged each agency with initiating an internal review of current efforts related to improving efficiency, which will be incorporated into a department-wide inventory. According to DHS, the initiative is similar to one Napolitano oversaw as governor of Arizona. The Arizona efficiency initiative focused on procurement, energy conservation, travel, fleet management, training and electronic communications and resulted in more than $1 billion in savings and cost avoidances for the state.
Government observers are justifiably skeptical about the creation of steering committees to handle massive management challenges like those at DHS, but at least the new secretary is clearly delineating management and efficiency as a priority. We’ll see how components respond and what this committee comes up with.
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Government Executive Staff Correspondent Alyssa Rosenberg takes a look at news affecting the management and operations of the massive federal bureaucracy.
I just hope that this effort includes a recognition of the important role federal whistleblowers play in promoting accountability, transparency, and customer satisfaction.
Mandy Posted Tuesday, February 17, 2009 1:02 PMRE: "... the initiative is similar to one Napolitano oversaw as governor of Arizona" -- Oh my. Doesn't GovExOnline have the time, money or inclination to do any "fact checking" or even better "policy challenging?" Also, are all GovExOnline editors and reporters just wunderkinds under 30 years old? Sorry guys, my retired brain cells are a tad testy. Are there any more clichéd or hackneyed managerial moves and press release bon-bons than the application of a state politician's recent management efficiency gizmo to her new post in a federal agency? If for example, you can't remember President Carter's "Zero Based Budgeting" program, or worse, if you have no curiosity about it, then, please don't answer this question. Finally, please raise your hand if you don't think periodic scouring an agency for improved efficiency is not a good thing. Yes, yes, it is a good thing, but, it is a very routine and minor thing, so is saluting the flag, observing all posted seed limits, and regular dental check-ups. Here’s a tip: vigilant efficiency is a MINIMAL REQUIREMENT ACTIVITY for any manager, not just a sparkly idea from a former Arizona Governor. And sorry guys, a lazy reference like: "Government observers are justifiably skeptical..." just doesn't cut it for a serious article. Here's a test - if the daily agency press release and the GovExOnline assignment board doesn't allow for a follow-up story containing a least two challenging or confirmatory quotes from critics or disinterested experts - then just kill the story. Otherwise, articles like this are just an embarrassment for GovExOnline – and a sorry off-set to all the cool journalism awards in your trophy case. Oh, and regarding a “blog” – unless you’re taking a pass for journalistic sloppiness, kings-X for a blog you say? no? – then ditto the criticism. Plus ca change.
Concerned Retiree Posted Tuesday, February 17, 2009 2:05 PMI hope that they address the duplication in support service infrastructure in the components - especially procurement, IT, HR, and other services that support the line. These can certainly be streamlined and made more efficient without sacrificing the mission.
Terry Posted Tuesday, February 17, 2009 2:09 PMPut another way: Budget drill!!!
Now if she were serious, she'd push on risk management and tie it to the PPBE process. Programs would then have to define resource allocation based on what they contribbute to the departments objectives -- *then* that would help her find ways to plus-up mission critical programs while being able to cut some of the largesse. But if she doesn't, then every program could be subject to cuts, and then it simply depends on the political skill with which all the DHS programs can play the budget drill game.
Fed Guy Posted Wednesday, February 18, 2009 11:58 AMDHS/TSA has constantly made excuses for not accomplishing objectives, unaccountable for spending, etc., yet continues unabated to receive taxpayers' money. Nothing will change as long as they continue to waste money on gimmicks which they call training or some other silly-named alleged level of security. A lot of money could be saved at this agency and used for Obama's economic recovery plan. Talk to the TSO's on the bottom if you want to know the waste on the top! If Ms. Napolitano is listening, please stop letting the chicken hawks guard the chickens. Transparency is needed!
hopeful employee Posted Wednesday, February 18, 2009 11:57 PM