Trust in government in the United States has dropped drastically since the 1960s, hovering as low as 20% in some recent surveys. Srikant Sastry, leader of Cherry Bekaert's Advisory Services and Ed DeSeve, Coordinator of the Agile Government Center at NAPA (and Senior Advisor at GovNavigators) join the show to talk about their recent op-ed in GovExec titled, "Trust in the federal government is in a tailspin. Here's how agencies can rebuild it."

Show Links:
Commission on PPBE Reform Interim Report
Circular A-11
Agile Government Center Framework
Treasury Seeks Greater Data Sharing in Interagency Plan to Curb Improper Payments

Robert and Adam stay light on their feet this week and wiggle out of a jam by rebroadcasting a previously recorded episode of the GovNavigators Podcast...I mean the GovNavigators Show.

Don't miss one of the original episodes when friends joined the show from far and wide. And shout out to late 1990's NBC execs for their "It's New to You" summer promo campaign.

This week, author and tech guru Jen Pahlka joins the GovNavigators Show to talk about her new book, Recoding America: Why Government is Failing in the Digital Age and How We Can Do Better. The former Deputy Chief Technology Officer of the United States, Pahlka shares stories and insights about the unique structures in all levels of government in the U.S. that are holding us back.

Robert and Adam also dive into the continued efforts of the Biden Administration to get federal employees back to empty offices, acquisition improvements instituted by the Army, and the recently released National Cyber Workforce and Education Strategy.

The GovNavigators welcome Jessica Lucas-Judy from the Government Accountability Office to discuss Robert's favorite publication in all of government management: GAO's Duplication and Cost Savings report. 

Robert and Adam also praise the nomination of friend of the program and former MD Governor Martin O'Malley to run the Social Security Administration and put some money on the line about the outcome of the appropriations process later this year. 

Our long-time friend Jen Kerber joins the program with her partner-in-crime Jordan Burris from Socure to discuss the evolution of the challenge of online identify verification. Both former federal government officials working in the identify space, Jen and Jordan talk about some of the unique challenges to identify proofing and ways in which the government can continue to improve its systems of ensuring people can access online government services accurately and easily.

Agile methodologies have been used in software development for years. But how can we bring the same concepts of Agile software development to all aspects of government management?

Joseph Mitchell, Director of Strategic Initiatives & International Programs at the National Academy of Public Administration and Ed DeSeve, Executive Visiting Fellow at the IBM Center for the Business of Government, Coordinator for the Agile Government Center (and Senior Advisor at GovNavigators!) join the program to talk about the work they help lead at the Agile Government Center trying to answer that very question.

Show Notes:
GSA Instructional Letter on AI
GSA IT Modernization Centers of Excellence: AI Guide for Government
GSA Announces News TMF New Targeted Investments

Justin Baer, Vice President for Program Evaluation and Policy Analysis at ForsMarsh joins the GovNavigators Show to discuss evidence-based policymaking, program evaluation, and his love for randomized control trials. Robert and Adam also discuss with Justin his recent op-ed, which advises the IRS on the best ways to determine the effectiveness of its new Direct File tax return service.   

Show Notes:
Jason Miller acquisition rundown: Busy Fourth Quarter to Bleed Into Just as Crazy First Quarter of FY2024

Justin's NextGov Op-Ed: For IRS Direct File, Let Evidence Guide the Way
IRS Report to Congress on Direct File Tax Return System

Triple Lindy Reference

Happy Independence Day! In this special pop up episode, Robert and Adam share their plans for celebrating America's 247th birthday and reflect on how those plans will likely fall far short of how John Adams envisioned future generations marking the birth of our nation.

Enjoy the holiday all! 

What is a QSMO? Does anyone really know? Long-time listener from the Bureau of the Fiscal Service Garen Behnke joins The GovNavigators Show to share the latest on the FM Quality Service Management Office. 

Galen dives into what a QSMO is, what problems it is trying to solve, and some of the latest services available to agencies. #veronicacorningstone #FMQSMO 

Well - that didn't take long. We're already recycling podcast guests (sort of)!

Friend of the program and certified favorite guest Katie Malague joins to discuss her work as the Principal Deputy Chief Operating Officer for Management at Federal Student Aid. Topics covered on this episode include horrible government job titles, the dismay of not being understood by your Alexa, how to build a great organization culture, and whether to acknowledge turds in the punch bowl. And don't miss our exploration of the contrasts in masculinity in Succession and Tedd Lasso.

Robert and Adam also cover the upcoming appropriations time crunch, the release of GAO's always hotly anticipated overlap and duplication report, and another significant cyber hack impacting multiple federal agencies.