Archives
Internal Gap Analysis: How to Identify Skill Gaps That Exist Within Your Federal Workforce
read moreFederal Talent Management: 10 Factors to Consider When Evaluating a New Candidate (To Find the Right Fit)
read moreThe Role of Contracting Professionals in Supply Chain Risk
In today’s interconnected world, supply chain risks, including cybersecurity threats, pose significant challenges for federal organizations. Contracting professionals are vital in overseeing and mitigating these risks throughout the procurement process. Thus, it is essential for contracting professionals to have the necessary skills, knowledge, and acquisition and contracting training to mitigate supply chain risk.
read moreThe Practical Benefits of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA) in the Federal Workplace
read moreProject Management Competencies to Serve the Public: Why Every Federal Workplace Needs Them
read more8 Things to consider when you are choosing Advanced Learning Options and Programs for Your Federal Workforce
read moreASMC’s Partnership X Management Concepts: Enhancing Defense Financial Management Training for Members
read more75 Years of Excellence: ASMC Alamo City Symposium
Learn about Management Concepts experience at this Financial Management focused conference.
read more16 Advanced Learning Options and Tools Federal Employees Can Leverage for Professional Growth
read moreCareer-Building Courses for Federal Employees—Reimagined In an Era of Learning Management Systems
read moreShould Training Certifications Be Mandatory, Discretionary, or Encouraged In Federal Workplaces
read moreProfessional Certifications – Additional Work or a Ladder to Success for Federal Employees
read moreMotivating Professional Development in Your Federal Employees—Challenges and Opportunities
read moreCareer-Building Courses for Federal Employees—Reimagined in an Era of Learning Management Systems
read moreWhy New AC Professionals Need Career Gateway: Acquisition
Elevate your technical competency and essential professional skills while learning how to collaborate, innovate, and solve problems effectively. You will learn to analyze the situation, use critical thinking to dissect your options, and then identify the best solution for the situation at hand.
read moreCareer Development as Your Family’s Intellectual Property
Employees grumble that their employer doesn’t take enough of an interest in their career development. Meanwhile, the organization is wishing that employees would take more responsibility for their careers. Both feel as though their points are valid. How can we meet in the middle?
read moreThe Shift from Color Blindness to Racial Consciousness
Read leading expert, Alison Manswell’s, perspective on race in the workplace, as she addresses how we can begin to have open conversations about diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility.
read moreHow We Help You Achieve: DEIA Executive Order
We’ve developed a new course, Exploring Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility, that combines our existing DEIA training with new content that will help your organization adhere to the latest updates in DEIA policy. This course will provide an overview of diversity and inclusion principles while emphasizing their importance for fulfilling agency missions. The course is now open for registration on the website!
read moreNavigating Tomorrow at the FAA Managers Association Convention
Management Concepts was pleased to return as a Bronze Sponsor to the Federal Aviation Administration Managers Association (FAAMA) 41st Annual FAAMA Convention and “Managing The Skies” Expo (FAAMA Convention). This year’s inspiring theme “Navigating Tomorrow – It Starts with Us!” was future-focused, stressing the need for leadership in action, and enabling Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) managers to implement the policies that will enable the FAA workforce to meet the needs of a workforce facing hiring and development shortfalls in the face of looming retirements amongst senior staff.
read more3 Questions to Answer for Your Employees
It seems basic, but many employees don’t really know what their company or agency’s purpose is. Creating a mission statement and posting it on the wall is a start but involving your team members in conversations and strategy sessions to create those statements, or implement action to help achieve those goals themselves adds a level of engagement most employees will welcome.
read moreConferences after COVID: Five Tips for Success
Attending your first conference after a few years of being apart, or in a new professional field—or even your first conference ever—can be daunting. Here are our five best tips to help make your conference experience a success:
read moreBack in 3 Dimensions Once Again: AAFEA Conference Highlights
Management Concepts was proud to continue to partner with the African American Federal Executive Association (AAFEA) as a Platinum Sponsor, exhibitor, and workshop presenter at the annual Leadership Development Workshop (LDW), which took place September 19-21, 2022 in College Park, MD and online. For the first time since 2019, AAFEA members were able to network in person with leaders from across government and industry, while also having the option to attend virtually as well.
read moreGoal Based Retirement: A Reference Guide
If you know you’re ready to retire and have all your financial planning out of the way, you think you may be done. But do you know how you’re going to spend your time? Where you’ll put your energy?
read moreThree Things Every Learner Wants
Do you know what your employees want out of their professional development journey? Maximize the benefits with these three tips.
read moreProviding World-Class Customer Service for Federal HR Professionals
Consider these 6 questions to determine how you can ensure exceptional customer service from HR professionals at your federal agency.
read moreImagine How a Custom Learning Portal Could Benefit Your Agency
Learn how a custom learning portal can help your workforce maintain certifications, update skills, and prepare for your agency’s future.
read moreHow to Maximize Agency Funds at Fiscal Year-End
Federal financial management professionals are stewards and fiduciaries of public trust and should always adhere to appropriations law.
read moreEnsuring the Success of your Presentation
Deliver impressive in-person or virtual presentations with guidelines for purpose, audience, thesis, scope, visuals, virtual setup, and engagement.
read more6 Tips for Writing an Exemplary Statement of Work
Ensure a smooth proposal evaluation process by crafting an exemplary Statement of Work (SOW) that leaves nothing open to interpretation.
read moreVirtual Interactive Workshop Recap: Women in Leadership: Breaking Barriers and Forging the Future
read moreThe Sobering Reality Presented at the AGA 2020 Internal Control & Fraud Prevention Training
read moreTrust — The Supervisor’s Challenge in the World of Teleworking
Building trust is a two-way challenge. For many people, the COVID-19 pandemic has opened doors to the teleworking for the first time. Supervisors need to allow telecommuting relationships to evolve naturally.
read moreThe Management Concepts Partnership Appreciation Event and Holiday Charity Social was a Smashing Success
read moreGet Ready for the GSA Multiple Award Schedule Contract Consolidation
One of the cornerstone initiatives of the General Services Administration (GSA) Federal Marketplace Strategy is a plan to modernize and simplify the buying and selling experience for customers, suppliers, and acquisition professionals. This initiative, known as Multiple Award Schedules (MAS) Consolidation, seeks to modernize Federal acquisition by consolidating 24 Multiple Award Schedules into a single Schedule for products and services.
read moreStomping Out Fraud in Government
When you consider that each fiscal year the Federal Government appropriates trillions for projects, programs, and operating budgets, it is easy to see that there might be opportunities for misuse of funds. According to the Government Accountability Office, (GAO), a person commits fraud when they attempt to obtain something of value through willful misrepresentation. But what does that look like in day-to-day operations? Let’s examine some recent earth-shattering to seemingly minor examples that should put fraud in perspective.
read moreWhat Does it Take to Be a Project Manager in Government?
The Interpretive Guidance for Project Manager Positions published by the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in May of 2019 lays out the responsibilities that are shared by a wide range of project managers. It also provides precise criteria to be used in the evaluation of current and future project managers in the Federal Government. The production of this guidance involved consideration by numerous government organizations that oversee human resources, financial management, procurement, and other related functions.
read moreInsights Gained from Today’s Talent Management Approaches for the Workforce of the Future
This week, Management Concepts had the honor of co-sponsoring Today’s Talent Management Approaches for the Workforce of the Future, hosted by the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) where a panel of Federal workforce experts shared their experiences and insights on ways to recruit, engage, and retain talented people for public service. After the initial introductions, Debbie Eshelman, Managing Director of Management Concepts, facilitated the panel discussion. Highlights include:
read moreHow Important are Soft Skills when Recruiting for Federal IT Positions?
It might seem that every Federal agency is searching for potential IT candidates. Not only does the President’s Management Agenda call for modernizing IT and optimizing data utilization, but also raising standards for the government workforce. This combination creates a tall order for HR professionals who support Federal agencies. While each agency remains laser-focused on its mission, it must also find the time and financial resources to upskill, reskill, and recruit people who will be facilitating their IT modernization transformation.
read moreGetting it Right – Federal Grant Time and Effort Reporting
Five years after full implementation of Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), Title 2: Grants and Agreements, Part 200: Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards, commonly referred to as Uniform Guidance (2 CFR § 200), time and effort reporting, or Compensation – personal services (2 CFR § 200.430) is still a compliance risk for non-Federal entities.
read moreEliminating Gaps in Agency Leadership – Part V: Measuring Success
In this five-part series, we talked about how you can help identify and assess leadership gaps within your organization and through introspection. We also covered how Federal Agencies can best avoid mission-critical leadership gaps through effective succession planning. In each discussion, we highlighted the importance of setting specific goals and emphasized that maintaining flexibility is crucial to achieving those goals. Now, in this final installment, we will discuss ways gap-closing success can be measured and potentially improved.
read moreSignificant Changes Introduced by the 2018 Yellow Book
In July of 2018, the long-anticipated revision of the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO’s) Generally Accepted Government Auditing Standards (GAGAS), commonly referred to as The Yellow Book, was released. It provides auditors with professional qualification guidelines and generally accepted government auditing standards for performing audits, including reporting and quality control.
read more10 Tips to Perfect Your Presentation Skills
Is giving presentations the part of your job that you dread? Not to worry, we have provided some practical tips that you can immediately put into action. With the amount of emphasis placed on sharing and utilizing data in the President’s Management Agenda, the demand for data analysis-focused presentations is likely to expand. Try applying these tips to perfect your presentation skills.
read moreWill a SOW, PWS, or SOO Work Best to Achieve Your Objective?
Traditionally, a Statement of Work (SOW) would be drawn up to provide every possible detail of the objectives, process, and assessment of an acquisition.
Then, the idea of performance-based work arose. Why not simply tell the contractor what you want the result to be and give them the freedom to accomplish it in the best possible way with a Performance Work Statement (PWS)?
The Many Ways the Federal Government Measures Quality
Since the introduction of Total Quality Management revolutionized the manufacturing industry, we have understood that quality is a key measure of project management success. No longer is completing a project on-time and within budget good enough. Processes must be efficient and produce an outcome that meets every specification and satisfies the customer’s need.
Although this philosophy began with manufacturing, it has spread throughout every aspect of our lives. We are consistently asked to provide, collect, and report on the quality of products, services, processes, and ideas. Let’s examine ways that this emphasis on quality is spreading throughout the Federal Government.
Qualities of the Ideal Federal Leader
One of the three key drivers of transformation named in the 2019 President’s Management Agenda (PMA) is realigning human capital to serve America’s priorities for the 21st century. While there is a significant focus on filling technology gaps, several authorities have defined ideal qualities for leaders in the Federal Government.
read moreThe Secrets of Successful Workforce Planning
A significant segment of our workforce is becoming eligible for retirement as birth rates are at an all-time low. Add to that a wave of uncertain budget and economic conditions in our future. This combination presents a very real challenge for public and private industry. Let’s explore the ways we can ensure our success through workforce planning:
read moreWhat’s Really at Risk?
The Government Accountability Office (GAO) publishes Standards for Internal Control in the Federal Government (also known as the Green Book), which defines, among other things, four principles of risk assessment. In short, they are:
1. Define objectives and risk tolerances
2. Identify, analyze, and respond to risks
3. Assess fraud risk
4. Identify, analyze, and respond to change
What is the Origin of Labor Day?
September 2, 2019, marks the 125th anniversary of Labor Day as a national holiday. This celebration originated with acknowledging the contributions and achievements of American workers associated with labor unions. Today, many people view Labor Day as a day off, time for barbeque picnics, and a parade. For most of us, it marks the end of summer when the swimming pools close, kids go back to school, and let’s not forget the Labor Day sales!
read moreTen Acquisition Communication Lessons from the OMB Myth-Busting Memos
From the start of solicitation development through debrief, effective communication is essential for the success of any government acquisition. Over the past decade, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) has issued four “myth-busting memos” that dispelled widespread misconceptions that have gotten in the way of success. As Michael Wooten assumes his position as Administrator of the Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP), there is talk of making use of this creative communication method to further enhance engagement. Here is a quick summary of most of the issues that have been addressed in prior myth-busting memos:
read moreMentoring is Essential for Career Growth
Over the past ten years, I have facilitated more than 50 speed mentor pairing sessions for government and nonprofit organizations. I’m always amazed at the way these short interactions often lead to lasting connections that contribute to tremendous growth opportunities for participating mentors and mentees.
read moreData Visualization 101
One sure-fire way to lose your audience is to give a bland presentation about numbers. While the rise and fall of digits matter to all of us – GDP, interest rates, profit margins – something about it transports our minds to thoughts of sandy beaches in faraway places.
read moreThe Need-to-Know Facts about PMIAA
The changes prescribed by the Program Management Improvement and Accountability Act (PMIAA) will impact Federal Civilian project and program management professionals across the entire workforce. How much do you know about PMIAA? Here are some basic answers to the most common questions.
read more41st Blacks In Government National Training Institute Conference Recap 2019
At the 41st Annual Blacks In Government National Training Institute (BIG NTI), approximately 2,000 attendees filled the exhibit hall and ballrooms at the Sheraton in downtown Dallas, TX from August 5th through the 8th. Management Concepts was a proud Gold Sponsor, furthering this year’s theme, “BIG NTI: Your Benchmark for Achieving Excellence in the Workplace.”
read moreEliminating Gaps in Agency Leadership – Part III: Within Your Organization
Although leaders may be quite effective in their current roles, they may not be well equipped to handle changes that occur due to new requirements. As each Administration introduces initiatives, there is a need to identify and address gaps between current skills and knowledge and future leadership requirements. In the first part of this series on leadership gaps, we discussed the process of identifying and assessing leadership gaps. In the second part, we dove into the process of identifying and addressing your leadership gaps. Now, in part three, we will explore ways to close leadership gaps within your organization.
read morePaying for Federal IT Modernization
One of the themes in the President’s Management Agenda (PMA) focuses on eliminating the discrepancy between the American people’s experiences dealing with the private sector and their experiences interacting with the Federal Government. For many Federal Agencies, bridging this gap will require an overhaul of information technology (IT) assets and processes.
read moreLeading as a Courageous Follower
In The Courageous Follower, author Ira Chaleff proclaims that the days of all-powerful leaders and subservient followers are long gone, if they ever existed at all. He makes the case that neither leaders nor followers can reach optimum effectiveness without the other, especially in an environment where technology and information are constantly changing. The following is my interpretation of how Chaleff’s Dimensions of Courageous Followership can be embodied in the workplace by exhibiting the courage to:
read moreData-Driven Decision Making at Federal Agencies
One of the chief Cross-Agency Priority (CAP) goals of the President’s Management Agenda (PMA) is: “Leverage data as a strategic asset to grow the economy, increase the effectiveness of the Federal Government, facilitate oversight, and promote transparency.”
read moreCAP Goal 8 – The Grants Reform Saga Continues
Somehow, I let talking about the President’s Management Agenda (PMA) Cross-Agency Priority (CAP) Goal 8: Results-Oriented Accountability for Grants, slip into my grant blog schedule. Let’s just call it CAP Goal 8 — everyone else does.
read more5 Tips for Avoiding Prohibited Professional Practices
In the private sector, we see companies soar or plummet after a crucial management decision becomes known. Their mere survival is closely tied to the public perception of difficult choices. For the Federal Government, the stakes are even higher because American taxpayers finance their work. Each agency or organization has a specific purpose. If any of them fail to succeed, we all lose. Here are a few tips to help you avoid HR compliance missteps.
read more10 Facts about PMP® Exam Changes Taking Effect December 16, 2019
After incorporating changes from the Sixth Edition of A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide), the Project Management Institute (PMI®) is taking a step into the future of Project Management best practices with a revision to the Project Management Professional (PMP®) Examination. Here is a breakdown of the exam, according to PMI:
read moreSeven Steps for Tackling the 2019 Single Audit Compliance Supplement
The Office of Management and Budget informed the grants community on June 28 that the 2019 Compliance Supplement (aka 2 CFR 200, Appendix XI) would be available on July 1. I’m sure that grants auditors and geeks like me took this as a sign to get ready for a not-so-relaxing read during the holiday week. I also took the additional step to review the recently released SF-SAC for fiscal periods ending in 2019, 2020, and 2021 in detail.
read moreEliminating Gaps in Agency Leadership – Part II: Introspection
In part I of this series, we talked about how to identify the skills required to fulfill your agency’s mission, determine to what extent these qualities exist among your leaders, and define the difference between the two in preparation for addressing leadership gaps. And most likely, as you reviewed the competencies that the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) considers essential, you may have recognized that you, as a leader, or prospective leader, can improve in certain areas. In this part, we will look at ways to identify and address your own strengths and weaknesses related to leadership.
read moreBecoming an Extraordinary Informal Leader
What is an informal leader? Whether you think leaders are born or made, we all are leaders and can develop leadership skills throughout our career lifecycles. Being in a position of authority has nothing to do with being a leader. I was an informal leader and in fact, only held a management position for 1-1/2 years of my 27-year Federal Government career.
read moreGetting the ‘Gears of Government’ Moving in the Right Direction
The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) published a new playbook and distributed it through a memo to agency heads and C-level directors to help agencies accelerate the cross-agency priority goal of the President’s Management Agenda of modernizing the Federal workforce. The Executive Playbook for Workforce Reshaping: Accelerating the Gears of Transformation, offers four plays for government leaders and employees and anyone with an appetite for change.
read more3 Challenges to Modernizing Federal Government IT
Unlocking untapped potential within Federal data will help grow the economy, increase efficiency in government, and better address complex problems using data-driving approaches. To stay competitive globally, it is imperative that we make data more usable and accessible.” Suzette Kent, Federal chief information officer.
read moreCongratulations to AFFIRM Leadership Award Winner Sam Shellenberger of DOL VETS
Management Concepts manages and operates the National Veterans’ Training Institute (NVTI) on behalf of DOL VETS to further develop and enhance the professional skills of veterans’ employment and training service providers throughout the United States.
read more5 Strategies for Effective Prioritization from Eric Papp
Last week, many Management Concepts colleagues and Department of Defense (DoD) Financial Managers attended the American Society of Military Comptrollers (ASMC) Professional Development Institute (PDI) 2019 in San Antonio, Texas. There was a wealth of information presented through workshops, educational sessions, and mini-courses. There were numerous speakers from DoD and industry who presented useful information, however, one speaker’s message caught our attention – that of Productivity Strategist, Eric Papp.
read moreEliminating Gaps in Agency Leadership – Part I: Identify and Assess
Nothing is constant but change. While the qualities and skill-levels of your organization’s leaders may have been top-rate when they were appointed, constant innovation and evolving priorities can transform a well-equipped leadership team into one that struggles to meet basic requirements. On which end of the spectrum does your agency’s leadership reside? Let’s explore the process of identification and assessment.
read moreFederal Government Procurement & Contracting News: Essential Facts about the Transition from DUNS to SAMMI
The Federal contracting times are changing and the transition from DUNS to SAMMI has begun. Here are a few nuggets of information for the acquisition communities pursuing Federal Government Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) training and certification.
read moreEarning a Certificate Can Help You Win Federal Grants
Each stage of the grants lifecycle has countless details that an applicant must understand in order to navigate Federal grants funding. One of the best ways to ensure your organization gets the most funding possible and manages that funding appropriately is to have certified grants specialists working on your team. Here are some ways earning a Grants certificate could help you and your organization through each step of the grants lifecycle.
read moreFour Characteristics of an Emotionally Intelligent Leader
The value of Emotional Intelligence (EI), or “the ability to identify and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others,” is increasingly being used as a cognitive leadership tool to enhance the effectiveness of communication in the public and private sectors. In our recent webinar, Emotional Intelligence, The Use of Emotional Intelligence for Effective Relationships, we defined EI and described ways it impacts our daily lives. Let’s take a closer look at four of the characteristics that are common among emotionally intelligent leaders and explore steps we can take to improve our own EI as leaders:
read moreHow to Make the Most of the New OPM Federal IT Hiring Authorities
Last month, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a new final rule giving Federal Government agencies guidance for delegating the authority to hire new talent for high-demand and critical-shortage positions in IT and cyber talent quicker and faster through a new Direct Hire Authority (DHA).
read moreSuffering from #NGMA2019 and OMB Overload?
It has taken me a bit to write my #NGMA2019 post. To be fair, I camped out for the first time in 30 years the weekend after and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) issued not one, but two memos the same week. More on that in a minute…
read moreThe Future of Federal Workforce: Reskilling, Automation, & Hiring Practices Part III: Federal Workforce Culture
As we discussed in Part I and Part II, the onslaught of technological advances we have experienced in recent years has forever changed the way we live and work. In this final part of our series, we will examine how panel experts have addressed workplace culture issues that directly impact the Federal workforce.
read moreCelebrate Public Service Recognition Week May 5-11, 2019
An estimated 7.11 million Americans have chosen public service careers. How does their work impact our lives, our communities, and the entire nation? Public Service Recognition Week, May 5-11, is dedicated to providing recognition for public servants, whose hard work and valiant efforts enhance our quality of life.
read moreEmotional Intelligence Webinar May 8, 2019:
Whether You’re in the Executive Suite or Not — This Session is for You
If you are like me, you realize maintaining effective relationships is not easy. Think back to your ineffective relationships: what role did emotions play? In our professional lives, unhealthy relationships affect team chemistry, advancement, and even engagement. In fact, Gallup estimates employee disengagement cost U.S. companies $450-$550 billion a year — not exactly pocket change. Therefore, how does being emotionally-mindful set effective relationships apart from ineffective ones?
read moreThe Leader’s Role in Workforce Agility Part II: How to Shape an Agile Workforce in the Federal Government
In my last blog post Building Your Muscle for Change, I discussed how you need to develop and model resiliency, strategy, and communication skills before implementing an organizational workforce agility initiative, if you’re to be a successful Federal leader. By being more adept in your own managerial and leadership practices, you will be better prepared to shape an agile workforce.
After you’ve built your muscle for change, it’s time to put those new muscles to work!
HR in the Federal Government: A Changing Landscape Part II: Is Technology the Answer? (Hint: YES!)
The President’s Management Agenda (PMA), released to the public in March 2018, runs the gamut in terms of requirements and recommendations for agencies and departments within the Federal Government. A recurring theme in the document? Technology must be leveraged to modernize, create efficiencies, and get the job done better, faster, and smarter, including managing and improving quality customer service in agencies and HR departments.
read moreEight Ways to Manage Up in the Federal Government
Simply stated, “managing up” refers to doing whatever you can to make your boss’ job easier by essentially managing your manager. Managing up means navigating the complexities of both you and your supervisor’s personality to ultimately achieve the goals of the organization. Perhaps most importantly, managing up is a way for you to get a leg up on the competition.
read moreThe Importance of Being a Good Writer: Federal Employee Essentials Edition
As a Federal employee, much of your internal and external communication comes in the form of writing (emails, memos, reports, executive summaries, and announcements) so, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that improving your writing and communications skills is a great way to advance your career within the Federal Government.
read moreManagement & Leadership Coaching in the Federal Government
When you hear the word “coach,” what’s the first image that pops into your head? For many, it’s a throwback to high school sports, where a coach doesn’t just help you win games — a coach helps you grow as an athlete. For others, it could be someone else, like a professor in college, a musical director, a military officer, a boss, even a family member. A coach is anyone who provides guidance, fosters your growth, and helps you to succeed in your role.
read moreThe Leader’s Role in Workforce Agility Part I: Building Your Muscle for Change
An agile workforce considers people as the differentiator, not technology. When you hear a term like “agile” tossed around so often, it starts to become an abstract concept that is hard to wrap your brain around. In our quest to define terms like agile, we overcomplicate the essence of what it really means. I like to make the complicated, simple. Agile means to be able to adapt and change. How’s that for simplicity? Okay, so maybe workforce agility is a little more complex than just adapting and changing.
read moreHR in the Federal Government: A Changing Landscape Part I: Challenges and Solutions to HR’s Changing Priorities
Human resources (HR) are—simply put—the people who make up an organization and carry out the work that achieves the objectives of that organization’s mission. An HR department is tasked with managing those resources, ensuring compliance with labor laws and regulations, and overseeing benefits and often recruitment.
read moreFederal Workforce 101 Series (Part I) – Fiscal Year 2020 Budget Proposal Impacts on Federal Workforce Engagement
Coming off the heels of the longest Federal Government shutdown in history last month, news of the President’s fiscal year 2020 budget proposal and the many proposed changes to Federal pay and benefits might feel a bit hard to swallow for many Federal workers. On top of an all-too-familiar proposal to freeze Federal pay, President Trump’s budget also called for significant funding cuts and reorganization of many Federal agencies or elimination of some programs, altogether.
read moreCommunity of Change: Shaping and Shifting Culture
On behalf of, Management Concepts we invite you to join
our practice LinkedIn Group, Community of Change: Shaping and Shifting Culture. The goal of this practice is to: Raise awareness around the value of addressing the behavioral norms that enable or inhibit an organization’s ability to deliver on mission-driven priorities, and provide best practices and tools that enable you to integrate culture change to enable individuals, teams, and organizations to deliver high-quality citizen services.
3 Key Themes Dominate the 2019 ASMC Regional Professional Development Institute Event
This year’s theme, “Who Dares Wins”, is the motto that originated with the British Special Air Service. The Deputy Chief Financial Officer (DCFO) of the Department of Defense (DoD), Mr. Mark Easton, was the keynote speaker – addressing this theme in a very thought-provoking and informative way. He conveyed that it’s a great time to be an FMer, and that while there are many challenges now and on the horizon, FMers are “Daring to Win” each day. Additionally, he provided a macro-level view of a few key financial management (FM) initiatives, including the undertaking of the largest audit ever, the impending roll-out of the FY20 budget, technological advances within the DoD, and more. It was great to hear about the progress being made by each of the Armed Services on their respective audits. They’re digging in, addressing findings, implementing corrective action plans, and establishing best practices.
read moreA Case for Enterprise Learning Solutions
Among the challenges that agencies face in meeting the reskilling and upskilling needs of the Federal workforce is the disconnect between the need for learning and development solutions and how learning is typically procured in the Federal marketplace to address those needs.
read more3 Tips for Newcomers to the Federal Workforce
Between the paperwork, acronyms, and levels of bureaucracy, the Federal workforce is a daunting field for newcomers. There are many “listicles” and websites that provide information on what to expect on your first day, year, or at any time during your tenure as a Federal employee. With that in mind, here are three tips to ease your transition.
read moreTGIF and HAPPY #IGPD 2019!
I was harried as I wrote this. I don’t know about you, but I feel like the post-shutdown, winter-to-spring activities, hay fever spigot has been turned on. Wait…Make that fire hydrant.
read moreThe Future of Federal Workforce Reskilling, Automation, & Hiring Practices: Part II
The Federal Government often falls behind the curve on new technology and workplace practices. Administrative and budgetary constraints can curb innovation, while politics dictate the pace and volatility of these changes.
read moreThe Role of Program Management in the Federal Government
The Project Management Institute® defines program management as a group of related projects managed in a coordinated way to obtain benefits and control not available from managing them as individual projects. A program manager is the person authorized by the performing organization to lead the team or teams responsible for achieving program objectives.
read moreHit the Training Bullseye: Making the Shift from LPTA
All too often, training is acquired via the Lowest Price Technically Acceptable (LPTA) evaluation process, not based on best value. LPTA is essentially a “good enough” evaluation—ideal for buying toner or office supplies, but inappropriate for more complex and critical purchases like learning solutions.
read moreON-DEMAND WEBINAR: How to Be a Change Agent in the Workplace
It is critical to manage change by creating and implementing a strategy that defines an approach consistent with the unique needs of the organization. The strategy serves as the guiding framework, providing direction and shaping decision making throughout the change process.
read moreSupporting U.S. Veterans Return to the Workforce: National Veterans’ Training Institute and Management Concepts Partnership
Recent statistics from the U.S. Department of Labor show that veteran unemployment continues to trend downward. The veteran unemployment rate in December 2018 was 3.2 percent, down from 3.8 percent in December 2017, which puts their unemployment levels below that of the general U.S. population, which stands at 4 percent. It’s a bright moment amidst many dark clouds in current events see an uptick for this deserving segment of our population.
read more2019 PMA Fast Fact
Modernize your skillsets today to help reach your 2019 professional goals! Visit Management Concepts
read moreRockin’ Your Resiliency During Tumultuous Times: Government Shutdown Tips for Heading Back to Work
If there’s one thing I know about Federal employees, it’s that they’re resilient. With twenty years of public service under my belt and working alongside the Federal workforce within six different branches of government including during and after 9/11 – I have seen first-hand the dedication and drive fellow Federal employees have for overcoming the toughest challenges our nation faces.
read moreThe Future of Federal Workforce Reskilling, Automation, & Hiring Practices: Part I
Reskilling and upskilling is a practice that involves training employees to complete their job to the best of their ability. It can take many shapes and forms. In the manufacturing workplace, it could be training staff to use new computers to improve manufacturing efficiency and standards. In an office setting, it could be sending employees to conferences and classes to learn new skills.
read moreWhat Does the Federal Shutdown Mean for Grants?
There have been updates, announcements, new grant requirements, and changes to current grant requirements every month throughout 2018, leading to anticipated reforms in 2019 and beyond.
read moreStrengthening Federal Evaluation: Meet in the Middle?
The middle is hard because policy making is an emotional and often reactive process. And grants, which are policy tools, are often the instruments evaluated to inform policy, effectiveness, and compliance.
read moreThe Reform Proposal’s Potential Impact on Federal Grant Making
Any significant adjustments to an organization, be it mergers or eliminations, have a significant impact on the people affected. Sitting on a client site in 2004 during years one and two of the Department of Homeland Security taught me that change management and culture considerations are as important, if not more, to the success of the change as the gained efficiencies.
read moreFederal Spotlight Interview: Nathaniel H. Benjamin
I’ve been in Federal Service excluding military time for about 15 years and my main responsibility is managing the Human Capital Office for the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Under that responsibility, I’m responsible for talent acquisition for general schedule employees.
read moreTime to Skim the 2018 Single Audit Compliance Supplement
Not every agency included changes in this supplement. This makes sense as we anticipate release of the 2019 Compliance Supplement in early 2019, and many policies, regulations, and authorizing statutes have been stable during the past two years. That said, the number of programs included in the Department of Education (ED) section is striking – and reflective of the many policy changes that have been implemented since Secretary DeVos took over.
read more3 Key Influencers of the Federal Budget Process
Understanding the budget process and how to work with decision-makers is important for stewards of Federal funding. From the onset, it’s critical to be familiar with the key influencers of budgets and their responsibilities.
read moreThe President’s Management Agenda Series: Transforming through Innovation
The President’s Management Agenda refers to the concept of innovation frequently, and it is depicted as playing a critical role in achieving the outlined goals.
read moreWhat makes audit findings so Special?
“The specific requirements for Special Tests and Provisions are unique to each Federal program and are found in the laws, regulations, and the provisions of contract or grant agreements pertaining to the program. For programs listed in this Supplement, the compliance requirements, audit objectives, and suggested audit procedures for Special Tests and Provisions are in Part 4 – Agency Program Requirements or Part 5 – Clusters of Programs.”
read moreManaging Your Training Dollars in the Era of Continuing Appropriations Resolutions
Now is the time to start thinking about filling the hurry up and wait days of the first and second quarters of FY19 with training for acquisition professionals.
read moreCelebrating Public Service Recognition Week 2018
This week (May 6-12, 2018) is Public Service Recognition Week and Management Concepts is excited to show our appreciation for our government leaders and public servants!
read more3 Ways Bid Protests Can Help Improve Source Selection
Anyone involved in the government contracting process can tell you that bid protests cause a great deal of anxiety. From the stress caused by the ding on performance evaluations to the automatic stay and the loss of revenue, neither the government nor private industry view a bid protest as a positive.
Despite the discomfort that bid protests cause, there is a positive that can be found in the action. The bid protest is probably the best learning tool that contracting professionals can utilize to refine their source selection methods.
read moreThe Compliance Conundrum With Federal Grants: National Grants Management Association 2018
It’s a conundrum that is consistently top-of-mind for many of us. At the individual project and program levels, sometimes we’re able to get from compliance to performance, but getting there for all $700B in annual federal grant spending is a whole new ballgame.
read moreChoose Your Own Adventure: Certificate or Certification?
Whether you’re looking at a certificate (which I think of as yours to keep) or a certification (re-cert requirements needed), you need to consider where you want to be. Either option is an investment in your skills, knowledge, qualifications, and marketability.
read moreFederal Spotlight Interview: Adrianne M. Callahan
One of my biggest achievements is winning the Federal Employee of the Year – Outstanding Specialist Category. Competition for the Federal Employee of the Year is extremely high, my nomination was reviewed and ranked the winner out of 18 nominations from various agencies within the Chicago Federal Agency area and it truly was a humbling surprise.
read more5 Ways The President’s Management Agenda Misses The Mark On Federal Workforce Engagement
Many of the presenting symptoms of malaise in the federal workforce are the result of deep seated behavioral norms that won’t be changed by focusing on surface level measures like engagement. The PMA was a prime opportunity to introduce new methods and measures that can help federal agencies begin to achieve meaningful shifts in their culture leading to improved engagement, improved mission performance, and higher quality citizen services.
read moreHow and When Should Government Engage Industry?
At the February 2018 ACT-IAC conference Lifting the Curtain: Requirements Development in Federal Acquisition and Reverse Industry Day, the question of when to engage industry emerged. The most controversial idea was presented by James William, Partner at Schambach & Williams Consulting. During Panel I- Behind the Scenes: Understanding the Government Requirements Gathering Process, Mr. Williams offered that government could invite industry to the table to assist in the creation of the statement of need and the evaluation factors. By engaging industry in the requirement development process, early and often, requirements will be better defined, better solutions will be offered, the evaluation process will be streamlined, the Procurement Acquisition Lead Time (PALT) will be minimized and the government will achieve best value.
read moreFederal Spotlight: Pamela Thompson
MC: How long have you been in Federal service and what is your main responsibility in your role today?
PT: I started my Federal service when I joined the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) in February 2014. Prior to joining CFPB, I worked for The MITRE Corporation, a not-for-profit company that operates multiple Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs). However, I spent the majority of my career working for Federal government contractors as a Human Resources executive. In addition, I have worked as an independent contractor for NASA, DHS, VA, OPM, and U.S. Postal Service, providing executive coaching, training, and other human resources services.
read moreInsights and updates from AGA’s 2018 National Leadership Training
I recently had the opportunity to represent Management Concepts at the Association of Government Accountants’ National Leadership Training (NLT) event at the Ronald Reagan Building in Washington, D.C. This two-day event is designed to develop and train government financial professionals to excel as leaders. Featured speakers included Dave DeLong, President, Smart Workforce Strategies and Mark Updegrove, CEO, National Medal of Honor Museum. The event drew hundreds of CEO’s, CFO’s, senior executives, PhD’s, CPA’s, senior managers, and future leaders from Federal, state, and local organizations across the U.S.
read moreReady, Set, Go: Time to Finalize FY 2019-2023 Strategic Plans
After months of waiting, Performance.gov is finally back online. While it’s only an interim resource and a brand-new site is forthcoming from The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and General Services Administration (GSA), leaders across the Federal government are thrilled to have something easily accessible to support continued updates to draft strategic plans submitted last summer.
read moreAnalytics is a Function, Not a Job Title
I recently read an HBR article that reinforced much of what we’ve been seeing internally at Management Concepts for the last two years: Analytics is a function, not a job title, and regardless of job title, analytics should be a part of every team’s profile. As noted by the HRB authors, you don’t have to be a Data Scientist to work in analytics. Success with analytics requires a “big tent” approach: Everybody in, and everybody all in.
read moreFederal Spotlight: Lawrence Gross
Federal Spotlight: Lawrence Gross retired recently from his role as Chief Information Officer, Chief Privacy Officer at the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. Here is our Federal Spotlight interview:
read moreFinding Time for Strategic Thinking
In our fast-paced work environments, there is a natural inclination to keep our heads down and accomplish only the tasks directly in front of us at any given time. From the moment we wake up to the moment we fall asleep, we are bombarded with emails and social media alerts that require our immediate attention. Indeed, we are often rewarded on the job for our ability to navigate daily emergencies and constantly be available.
read moreMentoring: A Win-Win Situation
As National Mentoring Month comes to an end, let’s reflect on the importance of mentorship and its impact on an individual’s professional development. The support and guidance from well-respected and seasoned executives is instrumental as individuals strive to achieve career ambitions. As Winston Churchill said, “We make a living by what we get, we make a life by what we give.” Good mentors are more than just successful business people – they offer their time, network, and willingness to help others because they genuinely want to see someone else succeed.
read moreFederal HR Skills Tested in 2017
The Year 2017, is now in our rear-view mirror and for Federal Human Resource practitioners, it was a year of highs and lows. At the end of 2017 HR practitioners were still trying to create innovative ways to deal with leadership turnover, technology upgrades, the streamlining administrative systems, labor and management concerns, and employee demographics shifts, employee retention/engagement, to highlight a few.
read moreYear In Review: Our Most Read Blogs of 2017
And that’s a wrap for 2017! Just in case you missed some of our most read blogs of the year, we wanted to make sure to call them out… again. With topics ranging from human resources, OMB Releasing the 2016 Compliance Supplement to how culture can make a significant impact in an organization – there’s something we all can relate to.
We strive to produce content that is not only relevant, but that also can provide insight and value while initiating new ideas to our subscribers. As an early 2017 Forbes article put it “Blogs offer an avenue for delivering that value to a global audience. They provide a hub for tutorials and walk-throughs, and an avenue for crafting and constructing resources that help individuals that are looking for useful information.” And on that note, enjoy reading our top 10 most read blogs from 2017.
read more2 CFR 200: What You Need to Know in 2018
or the last year, the grants community has been expecting the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to incorporate a number of grants-related laws into 2 CFR 200. OMB officials have commented that they are working on amendments, but have not provided an estimation on when the changes will be announced.
In anticipation of the changes, it is important for the grants community to be aware of the legislation that may potentially be incorporated into 2 CFR 200.
read moreThree Initiatives to Help Improve the Acquisition Workforce
As a new year begins, agencies are also making their resolutions. High on their list are ways to keep employees engaged, energized, and focused on meeting mission goals. These are the top three initiatives we’ve seen when helping our clients identify ways to improve the acquisition workforce.
read moreMy Predictions of Workforce Trends In 2018
As we wind down 2017 and begin looking forward to a new year, I’ve been thinking about the issues, trends, and themes that are likely to shape the experience of the Federal workforce in the second year of the Trump Administration. Read more about the top 4 predictions workforce trends of 2018.
read moreReforming A Federal Agency: My Top 10 Thoughts to Unify Organizations
Ever since the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) published OMB Memo 17-22 in April, a lot of attention has been paid to reform in Federal agencies. Agencies across the Federal government have begun the process of figuring out how to improve performance, reduce costs, and streamline operations of their organizations and, for many, meaningful changes are emerging. The history of radical change is long and storied, often driven by challenging outmoded thinking, developing new technology, and/or changing cultural sensibilities. Shaping any change starts with creating a vision of the desired end-state and explicitly identifying the barriers for achieving the desired vision. While the vision will undoubtedly vary by agency, I believe there are some universal barriers that need to be addressed to achieve the desired end state.
read moreData, Data Everywhere…Albatross or Opportunity?
Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s Rime of the Ancient Mariner tells the experience of a sailor returning from a long voyage. In the early parts of the poem, the mariner describes how an albatross leads the crew out an ice jam in the Antarctic, but the mariner then kills the bird. The crew vacillates between viewing the killing of the albatross as a good or a bad thing. However, they soon become surrounded by “water, water, everywhere, nor any drop to drink.” Eventually, the mariner encounters death, but survives after accepting his guilt – however as a penance for shooting the bird, the sailor must wander the earth telling his story to passersby.
read moreFederal Spotlight: Amy Rogers
Amy Rogers serves as Director, Treasury Executive Institute, U.S. Department of Treasury. Here is our Federal Spotlight interview:
read moreGrant Pros + Bay Views = #GPAConf2017
I don’t know about you, but I tend to go in to a post-conference social media coma. Something has to give between coming off the professional development high and the dive back into the day-to-day low. And if you follow me, you know that I like to live tweet my conference experiences. It’s a fun, interactive way for me to talk about notes. And I needed them to write this post.
read moreThe Three Leadership Skills You Need in 2018
The end of the 2017 fiscal year has come and gone, and most organizations are in the midst of performance appraisals and planning for 2018. Whether you are a front-line supervisor, an experienced senior leader, or a new employee in the Federal government, this is an important time for reflection on how you can improve and expand your capabilities.
Everyone has personal areas for growth so you are better prepared to help your organization meet its goals; however, in thinking about the realities of the Federal government in the upcoming year, three fundamental skills underlie most critical tasks:
read moreResilience: Millennials on the Rise
On October 19, 2017, Management Concepts participated in a professional development series with the Young Government Leaders (YGL) and Blacks In Government NOW Generation (BIG-NOW). We have been joining forces to create educational networking events to increase the participation and engagement of underrepresented groups within public service. This breakfast event was held in Washington DC and included a dynamic keynote speaker followed by panelists who told compelling personal stories about how they have succeeded in their careers while sharing thoughtful career advice to those in attendance.
read moreNational Cyber Security Awareness Month: 3 Steps to Safeguarding Your Contracts
As another government fiscal year comes to a close, agencies are moving to the execution phase. For contracts that involve cybersecurity elements, acquisition planning, and contract administration have become increasingly more complex with the recent laws and regulations governing cybersecurity. With October designated as National Cyber Security Awareness Month, this is a perfect opportunity to review current and new contracts and self-audit existing cybersecurity management practices.
read moreTales from the Classroom
Over the last few months, I have traveled across the country teaching the full range of Management Concepts’ Grants curriculum to Federal employees and grant recipients. I view my time in the classroom as a mutually beneficial experience: Participants learn our grants curriculum and I learn from participants about their specific grants management challenges and best practices.
read moreStrategies to Build a Meaningful Career
Every one of us has a certain number of years to invest in working and making a living. Having a job is fine, but creating a meaningful career will maximize your opportunities for success. To have a successful, fulfilling career requires that you continually plan, execute and review your career management strategies. You may be like many people in the workforce who only think about your current role or your next desired promotion. However, given today’s changes and uncertainties in the Federal workplace, you need to broaden your short term thinking and how you manage and grow your career.
read moreToday’s Vision, Tomorrow’s Future: BIG NTI Conference Recap
At the 39th Annual Blacks In Government National Training Institute (BIG NTI), approximately 2,000 attendees filled the exhibit hall and ballrooms at Harrah’s in Atlantic City, New Jersey, from August 21st through the 24th. Management Concepts was a proud gold sponsor, and presented and hosted a pair of workshops in addition to a Munch & Mingle networking event in conjunction with the BIG NOW Generation.
read moreBuilding an Organization’s Performance Culture
For leaders tasked with developing a performance culture in response to the Human Capital Framework (HCF) released by The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) in April, I suspect agencies are seeking answers to the questions like: Where do we start and how do we interpret the framework? If you are uncertain with where to start, how to make it relevant to your agency, or how to execute let’s explore possible immediate steps to support your existing performance culture or begin to shift your existing culture to one of performance.
read moreHow Human-Centered Thinking Drives Higher Performance
Over the past few weeks I’ve been reading the recent studies from Gallup, SHRM, and the Rand Corporation that describe the current experience of employees in the American workplace. The results from these studies present an interesting and contrasting, portrait of work in the U.S. today.
read moreBuilding Sustainability For Your Funding
One of the questions I’ve received most often since joining Management Concepts is, “Where else can I get funding?” This question goes to one of the weakest areas in the grant community: Sustainability. In this context, I’m not talking about the triple bottom line or climate change. It’s something much more basic: The resources that will keep your grant project going once funding source A is gone. Because deep down we all know that no funding stream lasts forever.
read moreWhat Is Data Science and Why Do We Need More Data Scientists?
If you take a quick look at Glassdoor.com and their “50 Best Jobs in America” for 2017, you will notice that Data Scientist ranks at #1, among several other “data/analytics” titles in the list. Although this is evidently a highly desirable job, there appears to be a large talent gap in the field.
read moreTime to Thrive: Empowering Millennials in the Workforce
Every day there are countless articles and studies casting aspersions on millennials. This cohort of young adults has been blamed for the declining viability of chain restaurants, gyms, diamonds, and even the National Football League.
read moreFederal Spotlight: Chad Sheridan
Chad Sheridan serves as Chief Information Officer for the Risk Management Agency (RMA) in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Here is our Federal Spotlight interview.
read moreGrowing as a Coach – Tips from a Seasoned Expert
Whether you’re new to your coaching role or have logged countless hours coaching many kinds of professionals, there’s always room to hone your skills. The better you are, the better you can be.
read moreFederal Spotlight: Kimberly Steide
Kimberly Steide serves as Human Capital Planning and HR Stat Program Manager at the U.S. Department of Treasury. Here is our Federal Spotlight interview…
read moreThree Important Questions When Planning for IT Acquisitions
The government spends approximately $80 billion on Information Technology (IT) acquisitions. How do you plan for IT acquisitions, and how do you make decisions about your IT spending?
read moreCoaches Succeed When They Have the Right Mindset
Command and control isn’t the only way to relate to employees, nor is it the best approach when you want to engender staff who are more creative or empowered. Coaching skills also help managers demonstrate their interest in their employees, a key factor for retaining and engaging employees.
read moreOMB Releases 2017 Compliance Supplement
Here go my highlights from what you need to know from this year’s edition.Like last year, there aren’t too many changes. In fact, the Federal Register Notice lists the changes so that you don’t have to hunt and peck. From there, I recommend going straight to Appendix V within the 2017 Supplement for more details.
read moreWorkforce Planning Turns Uncertainty into Stability and Mission Success
How can HR professionals impact positive change with hiring restrictions and budget cuts on the horizon? The fact of the matter is: now’s a better time than ever for Federal HR in each agency to find (or create) opportunities to re-engage and re-focus the workforce for mission success.
read moreSame Data, Different Conclusions: It’s a Good Thing
When I was deciding where to go with my husband, I experienced a bit of work-related déjà vu. Every option I considered was very different from the next, but all were possibilities chosen based on the same exact set of data (number of vacation days available, budget, etc.). I felt like I was back at the office working with a team, arguing about what decision to make, even though we were all reviewing the same data.
read moreFederal Spotlight: Jonathan Alboum
Jonathan Alboum serves as Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). Here is our Federal Spotlight interview…
read moreA Midsummer Summary of Changing Grants Policy, Part 2
Part two of our two-part series takes us through more changes to grant policy made by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) during their busy summer.
read moreWhen You Manage Resilience, Your Best Self Shows Up
In chaotic times like these, frustration and exhaustion creep up like a ninja if you don’t check in with yourself and revisit how you’re managing your resilience. While it’s often easier to focus on what drags you down (people seem to like saying misery loves company much more than positivity loves professionals), it’s crucial to make time to find, and utilize, what makes you a strong professional.
read moreFederal Spotlight: Ali Pourghassemi
Ali Pourghassemi serves as a Human Capital Manager for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Here is our Federal Spotlight interview
read moreA Midsummer Summary of Changing Grants Policy, Part 1
While summer is generally the time for taking a long vacation from work, officials at the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) have been busy revising grant policies.
read moreDefining the Problem – How Savvy Data Pros Get It Right
Without a clearly or accurately defined problem, time and other resources will be wasted, and you’ll be left unable to make an effective decision. Often, nailing down exactly what you’re trying to solve is more difficult than the analysis itself.
read moreKeep a Proactive HR Approach in the Face of Reform
Regardless of what guidance comes from OMB this fall, agencies stand to benefit from taking a refreshed, proactive approach to workforce planning. With workforce reductions (aka reduction in workforce, or RIF) on the way, it becomes even more critical to retain and develop talented employees, and developing personnel from within ensures strategic initiatives are kept on track.
read moreFEW NTP 2017: Empowering Women in the Federal Workforce
Management Concepts was a proud sponsor for the third year in a row for the 48th Federally Employed Women’s (FEW) National Training Program (NTP) held in New Orleans, Louisiana, from July 17-20, 2017. This year’s conference theme was “Investing in Our Future.”
read moreAGA PDT 2017: Top Takeaways from Financial Management Conference
Last week in Boston, over one thousand of the nation’s government financial management professionals convened for expert insights and networking (and CPEs) at the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) annual Professional Development Training (PDT) event.
read moreExperts and Leaders Convene: How the Federal Workforce Can Thrive in an Uncertain Future
On June 29 in Washington, D.C., the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) hosted an event—Stabilizing the Workforce in an Uncertain Future—featuring experts in Federal workforce development from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Defense and Treasury departments, and Virginia Tech’s School of Public and International Affairs. Management Concepts sponsored the event, also featuring our top experts and leaders in People & Performance Consulting.
read moreCommunicating Change: The Key to Avoiding the Most Common Mistakes
There’s been much debate about the Reform Plans that OMB is evaluating from every agency. Between now and when OMB reports back, how seriously will agencies take those plans? Will Congress pass a budget that supports making the changes outlined in the plans? One thing that’s hard to debate, however, is that there will be change.
read moreYour Words Matter: Have Conversations that Make Things Happen
All day long, we hastily grab a coworker for a quick chat, zip off emails to get or give important information, and (if you are like me) often multitask while commuting home by catching up on missed phone calls from the day. How often do you pause to consider what you want to achieve through conversation before you start talking or typing?
read moreWith Protests on the Rise, What Can Agencies Do?
GAO’s statistics show that bid protests have been climbing for the last several years. Given the protest statistics, what can agencies learn from GAO decisions and how can they protest-proof their awards?
read moreFederal Spotlight: Melinda Burks
Melinda Burks serves as a Senior Program Officer for the U.S. Department of State. Here is our Federal Spotlight interview…
read moreIn Search of CLPs: You Don’t Have to Look Far, But You Do Have to Look
Have you thought about your continuous learning requirements lately? Or is it something that you keep buried in the back of your mind until the last minute? If so, you’re not alone. But maybe it’s time to refresh your mindset for continuous learning.
read moreCoaching Questions that Help Individuals Move Forward
One way that coaching stands out from other types of performance focused conversations is its inherent perspective on who has the answers. So, if you’re tired from “coaching” your employees, maybe it’s because you’re working too hard giving answers instead of asking questions that elicit the solutions from employees’ unique experience.
read moreLearning Cultures Close Skill Gaps
So, how does an organization build capacity to respond to skill gaps? Begin by creating a culture of learning. Most workforce planning and human resource professionals understand that learning is vital to the health of the organization. However, few link learning to mission critical execution. If the workforce does not have the right skills, employees will be unable to effectively carry out the tasks required to meet the goal.
read moreDATA Act Compliance Has Arrived
Three years of planning the implementation of the Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA Act) came to fruition on May 9, 2017 as Federal agencies were required to begin reporting spending by using governmentwide, standardized data elements.
read moreA Perfect Match: Data Analysts Pair Technical Skills with Soft Skills
I’m going to discuss a very important relationship in every data analyst’s life: the marriage of technical skills to their soft-skill counterparts. Just like every relationship, this one requires understanding and balancing complementary aspects to be successful. Let’s look at how the skill for knowing how your sphere of influence—i.e. awareness of what you can do yourself, and how you can influence others—works hand-in-hand with your skill for driving data-based decisions.
read moreFederal Spotlight: Suzi Inman
Suzi Inman serves as Acquisition Management Specialist/Contracting Officer’s Representative at the Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane Division, in Crane, Indiana. She is also Vice President for Membership and Chapter Organization for Federally Employed Women (FEW). Here is our Federal Spotlight interview.
read moreGrants Legal Issues Grab Headlines
When Congress originally authorizes a grant program, its original intent can be very different from the implementation of policies in the here and now.
read moreFederal Spotlight: Bill Sutherland
Bill Sutherland retired recently from his role as Director of Aviation Operations at U.S. Customs and Border Protection. He currently works in support of National Guard forces, and also works as Managing Director of UASOPS, LLC. Here is our Federal Spotlight interview.
read moreTOC 2017 Recap: Talent Development – How Sweet It Is!
The Training Officers Consortium (TOC) 2017 Annual Institute was held in Hershey, PA from April 30 – May 3, 2017, and Management Concepts was honored to be a silver sponsor. More than 150 attendees, a few of our own in-house experts, and our President, Steve Maier, showed up for the inspired learning and knowledge-sharing the institute is known for. The theme this year was “Talent Development – How Sweet It Is!”
read moreNow that I’m the Leader, How Will My Team Change?
Many new leaders think they should walk in with all the answers; great leaders walk in with the right questions. Then, they lead their teams to a co-crafted solution.
read moreThe PMBOK® Guide 6th Edition Moves PM in a Business Value, Strategy Alignment, and Adaptive Direction
The ongoing emphasis on Business Value, Strategic Alignment, and Adaptation to the dynamic project environment and stakeholder needs makes these changes a significant improvement and step in the right direction toward elevating the PMBOK® Guide to a truly application-oriented tool.
read moreData and Grants: Patterns and Performance
The ability to identify and communicate patterns—through performance measurement in grants work—is an essential skill in an environment of limited resources for policy implementation.
read moreSo I’m Officially a Leader… Now What?
Well, you did it. After all your hard work, your contributions, and your tenacity, you got it. That promotion. That next step. Then, a week passes. You’re headed home, and it hits you. “What’ve I gotten myself into now? I think I’ve got ‘what it takes,’ but what if I don’t?”
read moreThe Presidential Budget and Federal Grants
OMB has only released a budget blueprint, which provides a high-level statement of policy goals. OMB expects to release the full budget later this spring. Even without the line-by-line budget requests detailed in the full budget, the budget blueprint does provide significant guidance for the grants community.
read moreFederal Spotlight: Soraya Correa
Soraya Correa serves as Chief Procurement Officer for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Here is our Federal Spotlight interview.
read moreAgency Experts and Leaders Convene to Address Challenges Facing Federal Workforce Management
Speakers and panelists from Federal agencies included experts in workforce planning and organizational development from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), FBI, Government Accountability Office (GAO), and Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). They joined for a panel on closing critical skills gaps in Federal organizations, including a fire side chat on community-building and leadership development in the Senior Executive Service (SES).
read moreFederal Spotlight: Georgia A. Thomas
Georgia A. Thomas serves at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as the organization’s Southeast and Southwest Area Manager, Communication and Stakeholder Outreach (CSO), Field Operations. Here is our Federal Spotlight interview.
read morePut Your Data Visuals on a Diet: No More Pie Charts!
Happy Pi Day! To celebrate, I will be discussing one of the most widely-used (but not widely useful!) data visualizations: the Pie Chart. While charts and graphs are invaluable tools for easily and quickly communicating a complex message to an audience, if they aren’t wisely designed, they can also be misinterpreted, misleading, or even deterrents to action. And pie charts—despite their deceptively simple style and popularity—often lead viewers astray, or lead nowhere at all.
read moreOde to Grant Professionals
Have you ever had a run of unexpected events that seems to leave you knocked down? But you get up again and again. If you are lucky enough to be a grant professional, when you get up, you’ve often got someone pushing or pulling you up. Here are my top 5 reasons why.
read moreFederal Spotlight: Doris Sartor
Dr. Doris Sartor serves as Course Director for the Air Force Civilian Associate Degree Program at Maxwell Air Force Base, and is national president of Blacks In Government (BIG). Here’s our Federal Spotlight interview.
read moreHiring Freeze? Time to Thaw the Organization’s Human Capital Plan
HR staff and leadership at all levels can benefit from viewing this freeze as an opportunity to take an internal assessment of the programs that present the greatest human capital need. This will further prepare organizations to manage through the workforce reduction plan requested by the January 23 Presidential Memorandum (which, according to the PM, is due from OMB within 90 days of January 23).
read moreInspiration and Insight at AGA’s 2017 National Leadership Training Event
The AGA NLT 2017 exhibit hall was packed with accountants, auditors, CEOs, CPAs, CGFMs, consultants, senior government leaders, and business developers—made for a pretty broad representation of Federal financial management professionals. So, what kept everybody together for two days? Dedication to outstanding public service and exceptional leadership. The event schedule was filled with expert-led presentations, with topics including Presidential transition, cyber security, the DATA act, and risk management
read moreResilience: The Word of the Year
Resilience already feels like the word of the year—our signal and guide to something better that can happen tomorrow if we harness today’s nervous energy and channel it wisely. And we must choose to be resilient.
read moreFederal Program Management Gets a Boost
In the final days of his administration, Obama to signed the new Program Management Improvement Accountability Act (PMIAA) into law. As with the PMIAA 2015 version, this effort adds language to Section 503 in Title 31 of the U.S. Code, which applies to all Executive Branch entities (Defense excepted). Here’s a quick summary of actions the Office of Management and Budget and Agencies are assigned by the change.
read more3 Steps to Advance Your Contracting Career
What should you do differently this year to move forward on your path to success? While there are often roadblocks to skill development in the Federal acquisition and contracting workforce, here are three steps you can always take that will help you reach the next level.
read moreFinding Stability and Opportunity through Uncertainty
Perhaps your organization or team feels like it is in the middle of a crisis with an uncertain future and shifting leadership, and is caught in the mire of the Federal hiring freeze. If so, here are a few things you can do to help take advantage of the “crisis” and use a planned approach to organizational change to bring stability to your work environment.
read moreTo Overcome Anxiety in the First 100 Days, Coaching Is Clutch
As someone’s boss, you likely influence the psychological safety a person experiences, even if you cannot change the objective uncertainty of the present moment. How you demonstrate transparency, trust, and yes, even care, for your employees can influence how they experience a sense of security at work.
Your role is even more critical in steadying your team while they work through fears, anxiety, confusion, apprehension, and other negative emotions that can be brought on by significant transitions in the workplace.
read moreHow Your Career Moves Forward in Chaotic Times
What actions can you take to further your career in this chaotic, uncertain environment? We have several ideas about what helps and hinders talent development in the public sector in our latest research report—Unleveraged Talent: Exploring Gaps in Federal Workforce Management—but we’ll focus here on just a few of our tips.
read moreThe New Administration Signals Potential Changes for Grants Management
Since the inauguration, the Trump administration has taken significant action, through executive orders and memorandums, which may affect Federal grants. The extent to which grants management will be impacted is still unclear; however, it is important for Federal awarding agencies and grant recipients to keep themselves informed.
Here’s our rundown of what’s happened, what’s happening, and what’s on the horizon.
read moreHow to Navigate an Uncertain Political Landscape
Depending on your political orientation, you may find new changes in Federal government to be necessary course corrections, unfortunate shifts in the landscape, or something in between. Regardless of your views, many government employees (and they agency missions they support) are now faced with uncertain futures. However, concentrating on the right things will help you navigate the uncertainty, and even strengthen some of your most important skills.
read moreOrganizational Culture Clears the Way for Successful Change
Change is happening across the Federal government at all levels, and a constructive workplace culture is needed for employees to meaningfully buy into the change effort. If people don’t buy in, then change becomes little more than a disruptive, disengaging force for everyone affected.
read moreOn the Horizon: The Status of Category Management
With the change in administration comes change in the Federal acquisitions horizon, and there is reasonable concern that the focus on category management could shift. However, while there is much on the new administration’s agenda, it looks like category management is here to stay—at least for now.
read moreIn 2017, Show the Way—With Data
There’s no better way to illustrate the ROI of a program than to literally illustrate it—with effective, irrefutable visuals of the data—which can serve as common ground for discussions about the work being analyzed.
read moreFederal Financial Management Changes in 2017: It Started in 2016
Here’s a two-part rundown of big changes in 2016 that will continue to affect our field in 2017—we’ve included quick tips and reminders for adapting to these changes, and resources for how to stay up to date in our ever-changing field.
read moreImprove the Hiring Process, Offer Realistic Job Previews
Wouldn’t it be great if a job applicant could somehow try out a potential job before actually committing?
Well, short of actually performing the job duties before being hired, there is something that employers can do: provide applicants with a true sense of what a job entails and what the environment is like. It’s called a Realistic Job Preview.
read morePresidential Transition Worries? Good Coaching Gets You Through It
A transition can be like a roller coaster, and even if you’re in front leading the way, or have even finished the ride and are ready to move on, remember that the rest of your team might still be hanging on through loops, corkscrews, twists, and turns behind you. Same as having great internal communication, coaching helps get people through the roller coaster ride.
read moreMaking Friends with Risk: How to Be a Champion for Your Program During the Administration Change
There is still a lot of uncertainty around what is going to happen under the Trump presidency, but one change I feel confident predicting is that the new administration is going to be laser-focused on government performance and results. And the general sentiment of the president elect and his cabinet will be that “government should start acting more like a business.”
read moreHow a Member of the Grants Community Prepares for 2017
What a year 2016 was, and I’m not just talking about what you’re reading in your Facebook and Twitter feeds. It’s early January, and it’s time to make my top 5 New Year’s resolutions for work. Feel free to share yours with me – because as we know in the grants world, crowd-sourcing is essential.
read moreHow to Review 2016 and Gain a New Leadership Perspective on Your Organization
As you plan for the new year at your organization, how do you know that you’ve truly understood the year that just happened? Learning from past experience is something that occurs whether we’re intentional or not, but formal self-reflection (and organizational reflection)—to the tune of New Year’s resolutions, which often have unique charms of timely inspiration, honesty, and introspection—can help you see things with even greater clarity. Aligning your organization to learn from mistakes, tackle new challenges and changes, and be resilient and adaptable will be crucial for 2017.
read moreThe Test Your Organization Might Not Be Using, but Should
For hands-on courses where participants learn a skill, the evaluation type should match the content of what participants learn. One effective approach is to use a situational judgment test (SJT). SJTs present test-takers with written or video-based scenarios, and ask them to respond in one of two ways: (1) choose how they would likely behave in a given situation, or (2) evaluate the effectiveness of possible responses to a given situation. In the first response type, test-takers can choose the best or worst response from a list of potential responses, rate how effective each potential response option is, or even rank the potential responses in order of effectiveness.
read more2 CFR 200 Turns Two: The Research Community Seeks Greater Independence
With the implementation of 2 CFR 200, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) sought to bring uniformity to grants management. What we are now beginning to see is the desire by some non-federal entities to begin exerting their independence and to have more flexibility with their federal awards.
read moreThe Presidential Transition and Beyond: HR Skills for an Even Stronger Federal Workforce
With the Presidential transition approaching, change is around the corner for over 4 million civilian and military employees in the Federal government. As in any organization, HR’s function is to support transitions in a way that maintains a ready and productive workforce. The Presidential transition, like other leadership transitions, presents both opportunity and uncertainty. Here are 5 challenges and opportunities for leadership and HR to take on in the coming months.
read moreDeveloping the Next Generation of Government Leaders: TOC Panel Leads the Way
On December 13 at the Ft. McNair Officers Club in Washington, DC, a panel of distinguished millennial government professionals shared a wealth of wisdom and perspective, as well as a roadmap for overcoming generational differences and preparing the next generation for bright futures in public service. The panel event, put together by Management Concepts and the Training Officers Consortium (TOC), was moderated by Tim Bowden (Executive Director of People and Performance Consulting at Management Concepts).
read moreFederal Spotlight: Alexis Bonnell
Alexis Bonnell serves as Division Chief: Applied Innovation and Acceleration for the U.S. Global Development Lab, United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Here’s our Federal Spotlight interview on her motivations, passions, and achievements in Federal Service. Plus, Ms. Bonnell shares a great list of tips for young professionals considering working for the government.
read moreFive Months Until the DATA Act Deadline: An Implementation Update
On December 8, 2016, the House Subcommittee on Government Operations held a hearing entitled “DATA Act Implementation Check-in.” The Subcommittee heard from representatives from the Government Accountability Office (GAO), the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and three Federal agencies. On the same day as the hearing, the GAO released a new report, “DATA Act: OMB and Treasury Have Issued Additional Guidance and Have Improved Pilot Design But Implementation Challenges Remain,” which examined the government’s progress to meeting the law’s requirements.
read moreLeaders: Hold onto Your Wigs and Keys in 2017
Seasoned Federal employees, especially those based in the DC area, are no strangers to Presidential turnover and the organizational dancing that signals a new administration is coming to Washington. However, that doesn’t mean the process gets any easier to live through or lead others through. And, if you’re new to the government, I’m sure you’re sensing the uncertainty in the air. What are the top 5 leadership skills you need to weather the chaos and keep moving forward in 2017?
read moreThe Lines are Blurring: How Leaders Can Respond to the Ever-Changing Work Environment
While examples of blurring lines offer some clues as to why organizational life is feeling so different, it leaves many organizational leaders with a big unanswered question: What do all these blurring lines mean for the future of organizations? Here are four highly recognized values of organizational change that will help you get to the heart of real organizational change.
read moreWell-Defined Roles Are the Basis for Long-term Talent Management
Every aspect of talent management is impacted by how we define our people’s jobs, specifically their job accountabilities, technical job competencies, and behavioral competencies. Without strong organizational structure (re: strong role and job family definition), organizational changes can take a heavy toll on the staff, responsibilities are muddled, accountability diminishes, and employees can be left feeling frustrated and confused about the integrity of their organization.
read moreFederal Spotlight: Christian Blackman
Christian Blackman serves as the Region 6 – Disaster Grants Branch Chief at the Department of Homeland Security – Federal Emergency Management Agency. Here’s our Federal Spotlight interview with Christian Blackman.
read moreImprove Your Workplace Culture: Visualize It
We all visualize, whether we realize it or not. Most often, we visualize experiences that have already happened, using our senses, feelings, and emotions to help us understand them better. Visualization can be even more valuable when we use it to create a picture in our mind of something that has not happened—exactly as we want it to be—with the intent that it will actually happen.
This future-focused visualization is particularly valuable for organizational leaders who want to think in new ways about their organization to meet its evolving mission and include an often-missing piece—how to change and align their organization’s culture.
read moreWhy We Need Agile Performance Management More than Ever
While presenting on a panel about Agile Performance Management at yesterday’s NAPA Fall Meeting (National Academy of Public Administration), a member of the audience asked a question that I think gets at the core of why we chose the topic for the panel. Paraphrasing, the audience member said, “When you talk about Agile Performance Management, it sounds like old ideas with new lipstick. What’s so new about it when it comes to managing your workforce?”
read moreLike Wearing Seat Belts, SES Reform Is Not Just the Law, It’s a Good Idea
The recent election results and upcoming change in administration cast doubt on the ongoing commitment to execute several of President Obama’s Executive Orders (EO). One EO in particular, about which we have written previously, relates to improving the Senior Executive Service (SES).
We believe that the Executive Order was created to upgrade long-overdue Federal executive hiring and development practices to mirror common practices in the private sector. We encourage the new administration and its agencies to continue modernizing practices relating to SES hiring, onboarding, development, and succession planning.
read more#GPAConf16: Good Times and IDC Dreams
I had such a good time at the 2016 Grant Professionals Association National Conference that I think I need a week to recover. I enjoyed meeting and reconnecting with colleagues from around the country who are dedicated to making the world a better place through grants.
But there is a dark side to going to events like this—you might go to a session on a topic that causes you to look at things from another perspective. And this perspective interrupts your dream cycle with scenarios and spreadsheets on indirect cost (IDC) rates.
read moreAre You a Good Data Storyteller?
Data tells stories: of success and ambition, as well as failure and challenge. It looks to the past and to the future, while delivering a clear and accurate now. But data professionals know it speaks best when arranged with a simple visual alongside a cogent message. Visuals show the story of your data, but are your visuals telling the right story the right way? When data storytelling goes wrong—when the visual is too complicated, when there are too many meanings in the graphic, when the message can’t be read quickly or clearly—your audience will not hear the story. And just as a great visual presentation can be remembered for a long time, some stakeholders may take a long time to forget a bad one.
read moreA Salute to Veterans
On November 10 in Washington, DC, the Department of Labor hosted a Salute to Veterans ceremony in anticipation of Veterans Day. The event began with opening remarks from Mike Michaud, Assistant Secretary for the Department of Labor’s Veterans Employment and Training Service (DOL VETS), including a pair of video messages from Congressmen. Then, a panel of distinguished speakers shared their personal experiences, successes, and efforts as leaders, veterans, and supporters of veterans.
read moreMaking the Mark for Millennials in Public Service
On November 3, 2016, Management Concepts participated in the third part of a four-part professional development series with the Young Government Leaders (YGL) – Atlanta Chapter and Blacks In Government NOW Generation (BIG-NOW). We have joined forces to create these events in an effort to increase the participation and engagement of underrepresented groups within public service.
Over 80 participants joined us for our first event in Atlanta for breakfast and a lively discussion on how Millennials today are needed more than ever to fill the talent gap facing the government workforce.
read moreHow Coaches Overcome Generational Differences
Increasingly, research is finding that differences we often attribute to someone’s generation have more to do with a person’s age, maturity, and experience than the grouping of years in which a person was born. With a growing number of millennials and later generations taking leadership roles in organizations, it’s important to understand how to more effectively coach these emerging leaders to build the capabilities organizations need to thrive in the future.
read moreHow to Fix Your Organizational Structure, One Role at a Time
A lack of a systematic approach to role definition and organizational structure design can create issues that reduce organizational effectiveness. To resolve a problematic organizational structure, one of the first things to do is to perform detailed discovery work to assess the current state of the organization and the elements that need the most improvement.
read moreTop Insights from the Ultimate Culture Conference: How to Nurture, Measure, and Shape Organizational Culture
I had the opportunity to attend the 2nd Annual Ultimate Culture Conference and the Schein Culture DNA Seminar last week in San Francisco. Many diverse viewpoints on culture and leadership were shared by an impressive lineup of innovative practitioners and thought leaders. I, like many others in the room, engaged throughout each day in spirited culture conversations and left with a variety of valuable insights on how to nurture, measure, and shape organizational culture as we look ahead.
read moreThe Best of FedTalks 2016: Leading and Adapting in Government IT and Cybersecurity
Last week, leaders from the tech and government IT communities gathered in downtown Washington, DC for FedTalks 2016. This year’s conference boasted over 1,200 attendees, leaders from all over the tech and government landscape. In case you weren’t there, or you couldn’t stay for every speaker, here are some of the highlights.
read moreFederal Spotlight: Max Finberg
Max Finberg serves as the Director of AmeriCorps VISTA at the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency that administers the AmeriCorps program and leads national service and volunteer initiatives for the nation. Here’s our Federal Spotlight interview with Max Finberg.
read moreIs Fear of Protests Guiding Your Behavior?
We often hear students and agencies wanting to know how to avoid protests. I think we first need to establish that companies competing for government business have a right to protest when they feel the source selection was improperly conducted. We believe properly conducted debriefings that communicate why the losing offeror was not selected significantly help to prevent protests that offerors feel are the only way to obtain a fair explanation. Other explanations for protests have been argued but the fact remains that transparency in the debriefing can effectively dissuade protests. Of course, failure to document the rationale for your decisions will not help.
read moreQ and A: All about the New A-123
On September 28, Management Concepts presented a free webinar—Easy as A-123: What You Need to Know About the Update—highlighting the significant changes to OMB Circular A-123 Management’s Responsibility for Enterprise Risk Management and Internal Control. During the Q&A there was time to answer only a few questions, but many good ones were submitted. Below are answers to the most representative questions.
read moreShifting Mindsets: How to Make Culture Change Real
One of the new roads I drive every day to and from work had been only partially finished for almost a year. There was a good-sized bump in one place. It became a habit to slow down every time I came to the bump. The road is now finished and the bump is gone, but I catch myself applying the brakes even though there is no need to do it anymore. Why does this happen?
read moreAnalysis Paralysis: Find Time to Get the Croissant with Your Cup of Coffee
You’ve just submitted the report that your supervisor wanted on projected HR costs for next quarter. As you lean back to enjoy your second cup of coffee and begin to tackle your next project, an email asking you to run the analysis based on a different set of assumptions pops up in your inbox. So much for getting a head-start on that other project. Changing one or two input items yielding different results that management can act upon is referred to as “modeling”.
read moreAre you a #ChangeAgent: Be the Change You Want to See
On September 29, 2016 we sponsored an event with the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) on the topic of “Positive #ChangeAgents Transforming Work Cultures By Delivering Results Differently and Better”.
read moreOpen Data: Your Future, Your Now
I took the opportunity to reflect on these broad topics together while I attended the Data Transparency 2016 + White House Open Data Innovation Summit.
read moreEEOC Executive Leadership Conference Wrap-Up
Management Concepts facilitated a workshop on data visualization at the EEOC Executive Leadership Conference. Some key takeaways based on themes are as follows.
read moreFederal Spotlight: Wanda Killingsworth
Wanda Killingsworth serves as Senior Program Analyst with the IRS, and president of Federally Employed Women (FEW).
read moreDefining and Refining Organizational Structure to Improve Performance
At Management Concepts, we are often asked to help clients rationalize and reorganize their organizational and functional structures when they reach a level of …
read moreQuit Moving the Target: How to Set Clear Expectations and Not Drive Your Employees Crazy
Have you ever felt like you are chasing a moving target? My first supervisor had me feeling like that constantly. I had to commiserate with my teammates and …
read moreThe Power of Shared Learning and Experience in the Workplace
I remember as a child my mother saying to me, “most often two heads are better than one.” This phrase still pops into my head when I am contemplating whom to involve in an upcoming work project or …
read more3 Keys to Applying for a Federal Job
With more than 2 million jobs, the Federal government is the largest US employer with many thousands of vacancies at any time. The average annual Federal workers …
read moreHow Much Data Do I Need?
As an analyst and evaluator, the most frequent question I am asked is, “How much data do I need for this analysis?” You need to have enough usable, representative data to answer your questions …
read moreFederal Spotlight: Rebecca Rose
Rebecca Rose serves as the Assistant Director of Communications at the U.S. Department of Energy. Here’s our Federal Spotlight interview with Rebecca Rose …
read moreFederal-Wide Research Terms and Conditions
Last October, the National Science Foundation (NSF) published proposed Research Terms and Conditions (RTCs) for Federal awards. The proposed RTCs update the …
read moreBIG is Committed to Excellence: Think Big!
Management Concepts was a proud gold sponsor of the Blacks in Government (BIG) 38th Annual National Training Institute (NTI) held in Atlantic City, New Jersey from…
read moreHow Assumptions Impact Organizational Culture
We all make assumptions as we go about our daily life, with a good portion of them being made while at work. Many of these assumptions are made without knowing it …
read moreThe DATA Act: Expanding Open Data and Transparency
Last week, I had the opportunity to present Management Concepts’ “Get Your DATA Act Together” webinar. The Digital Accountability and Transparency Act (DATA Act …
read moreFederal Spotlight Recap: OPM’s Rebecca Ayers and Your Next Career Decision
In her Federal Spotlight interview in November, OPM’s Rebecca Ayers shared her insights on a rewarding career and building a satisfying career in the Federal …
read moreSES Reform Implementation Tips
You may recall a blog piece from a few weeks ago describing President Obama’s recent Executive Order directing the Federal government to improve the …
read moreSpeaking the Same Generational Language
Having so many generations in the workplace can generate mixed emotions for supervisors and managers. It presents well-documented advantages but also…
read moreTop 5 Questions from Our DATA Act Webinar
With so many questions asked at the end of our DATA Act webinar last week, we were unable to answer them all on the spot, but here’s a follow-up on the top…
read morePerformance Review Season
The national conventions have wrapped up but campaign season is far from over. Everywhere you turn you are inundated with the latest breaking political news…
read moreComparisons of Agile vs. Traditional Approaches
Can this discussion be condensed down to a set of graphs that illustrate the areas of “applicability” for both Agile and current best practices for project management…
read moreThe HUD Federal Coaching Conference – Our Take
For anyone who was still skeptical about the value of coaching in the workplace, the HUD Federal Coaching Conference unabashedly put stakes in the ground, with…
read morePicture This: Data Visualization
In an earlier blog post, I wrote about how an evidence-based culture supports making data-driven decisions. As I was reviewing our data visualization course this…
read moreOMB Circular A-123 Revision
The long-awaited OMB Circular A-123 Management’s Responsibility for Enterprise Risk Management and Internal Control finally was issued on July 15, 2016. We…
read moreNCMA World Congress 2016 Recap
Last week, I attended the National Contract Management Agency’s (NCMA) World Congress 2016. It’s the premier education event for contract management, procurement…
read moreFederal Spotlight: Manny Ramirez
Manny Ramirez serves as the Diversity Program Manager at the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service. Here’s our Federal Spotlight interview…
read moreDATA Act Implementation Impact
If you’ve already read the two DATA Act reports issued by the GAO since late July, you already know that the government watchdog has documented its concerns…
read moreBuilding Your Own Olympic “Dream Team”
The opening ceremony of the 2016 Summer Olympic Games takes place this evening, kicking off more than two weeks of exciting competition involving the world’s best…
read moreNAPA Culture Event: Changing the Culture of Government
On July 28th Management Concepts sponsored a breakfast event with the National Academy for Public Administration (NAPA), the theme was “Changing the Culture of…
read moreOMB Releases 2016 Compliance Supplement and the Revised SF-SAC Form
Last week, I wrote about my daily disappointment in waiting for the release of the 2016 Compliance Supplement and the revised SF-SAC Form. Well, good news, both…
read moreThe Key to Successful Change – Focus on Motivation
For complex organizations like Federal agencies, undergoing change can be very difficult. As the recent report by Management Concepts and Human Capital…
read moreManagement Concepts FEW Recap
Management Concepts was a proud Emerald Sponsor for the second year in a row for the 47th Federally Employed Women’s (FEW) National Training Program (NTP) held in…
read moreStrengthening the Senior Executive Service (SES)
On December 15, 2015, President Obama issued an Executive Order designed to improve the performance and return on investment made in the Senior Executive…
read morePeople Analytics Is Trending Up
This summer, I have been watching a lot of baseball. The sport has always captured my attention because it is highly strategic game. Baseball managers are faced…
read moreFive Reasons Your Organization Needs to Invest in Training
An organization’s workforce is its most valuable asset. It’s also the driving factor that shapes how an organization succeeds in the face of challenges or crises…
read moreAnticipation Builds for OMB Audit Guidance
For the last few weeks, the first thing I do after making my first cup of coffee is to frantically check the Federal Register. I open my browser, click on the…
read moreTechnology Modernization: A Good Test for Real Culture Change
Change in government doesn’t always happen at the fastest pace, especially when technology is involved. Each year millions of dollars are taken away from needed…
read moreSustainability – Looking Beyond Federal Funding
Last week, I had a generational difference moment during the week’s Grant Chat – using virtual reality as a method of communicating and demonstrating grant…
read moreIT’S CRUNCH TIME! Fiscal Year-End Spending
The end of the fiscal year is rapidly approaching…and you know what that means…Yep! We’ve got a lot of things to get obligated – things we need but either haven’t…
read moreEmbedded Change Management contributes to Organizational Resiliency
The Oxford Dictionary defines resilient as “able to withstand or recover quickly from difficult conditions.” Recognizable behaviors that make a person resilient…
read moreStrengths and Weaknesses of Agile
Agile style methodologies seem to have had some success in environments with common conditions: Software deliverables, Small team sizes (5-9 is usual size…
read moreThe Presidential Transition as a Change Driver
In 196 days the next President of the United States will be inaugurated, marking a major milestone in what is one of the most significant and predictable cycles of…
read moreWhy Don’t We Make More Data-Driven Decisions?
As of this writing, Data.gov hosts 184,055 datasets. We have petabytes upon petabytes of data, yet struggle to find the best answers for common problems like employee…
read moreFederal Spotlight: Honorable Davita Vance-Cooks
Davita Vance-Cooks serves as the Director of the Government Publishing Office (GPO) and the 27th Public Printer of the United States. Here’s our Federal Spotlight…
read moreTechnology, Risk and Change Management
Sometimes it feels like technology can solve all of our organization’s problems. Organizations of all sizes regularly make major technology investments in an…
read moreNCMA World Congress 2016 – Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces
After attending my first ever NCMA conference last year – the Government Contract Management Symposium (GCMS) – I made it my mission to secure a spot as a breakout…
read moreJuno to Jupiter: Navigating the Creative Space
In this fast paced environment creative thinking and innovation are vital to individual, team, and organizational success. Through information overload, expectations…
read moreFourth Quarter Preview: What is the SBA up to?
As we approach the fourth quarter of the fiscal year, we are coming upon the time of the year when the most simplified acquisitions and awards to small business…
read moreGenerational Shifts: A Change Lever to Align Culture
For as long as organizations have existed there has been a need for people from different age groups to be part of the workforce, with some entering, some advancing…
read morePlanning is Critical in Successful Organizational Change
One of the contributing factors to project and program failures within public organizations is the lack of organizational change management planning. This is…
read moreGrants.gov: Applying for Grants Made Easier
As most grants applicants have experienced, applying for a grant is a team effort. Individuals may be tasked with separate responsibilities, such as developing…
read moreACQUIRE Conference Recap
The first ever ACQUIRE Conference and Expo started with an excellent presentation by Joshua Cooper Ramo on his book The Seventh Sense: Power, Fortune and Survival…
read moreCulture: What’s Your Story?
Every organization creates stories. Whether intended or not, these stories reflect who you are. These stories tell the tale of your organizational culture and what others…
read moreValue of Peer Coaching
Perhaps you have heard of the practice of coaching, where individuals receive coaching from external professional coaches, internal coaches, or managers…
read moreSuccession Planning as a Change Management Strategy
Succession planning is becoming a valuable strategy for organizations to undertake when looking to minimize the impact of changes on its workforce. Although…
read moreFederal Spotlight: Karen Rainey
Karen Rainey serves as an Information Technology Specialist at the U.S. Department of the Treasury. Here’s our Federal Spotlight interview with Karen Rainey…
read moreFLSA Update: Overtime Pay
The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) governs minimum wage and overtime pay for full and part-time employees in the public and private sector. On May 17, 2016…
read moreBreaking Down Big Data
The term “Big Data” is thrown around a lot in the IT and data analytics communities. Managing the size and complexity of available data has become a primary challenge…
read moreAgile: Bits vs. Atoms?
Building on the frustrations now evident at the basis for the Agile Manifesto’s creation, where did the current project management best practices seem to go “off-rails…
read moreWhat the Federal Government and Toyota Have in Common
Budget crunches, recruitment challenges, and knowledge loss as experienced employees retire—these together can sound like a recipe for disaster, yet history shows…
read moreDATA Act – Federal Countdown to May 2017
Last week my colleague Kim Coehlo brought us up-to-date on the data standards updated by Treasury last week. This hopefully will allow movement on DATA Act…
read moreDemocratization of Coaching
You name it, it’s being called for. Bringing to the masses what has previously been available to only a few. From leader development, to information and data, to…
read moreFlipping the Engagement Curve
There is an old saying that “what goes up must come down,” and when it comes to employee engagement in government organizations, the idiom is accurate…
read moreDo You Have What You Need for Succession Planning?
31 percent of Federal employees will be eligible to retire by 2017. Succession planning is complex, though, and retirement is only part of the picture…
read moreHow Does Critical Thinking Inform Our Problem Solving?
In an increasingly complex world, the ability to think rationally and solve problems effectively is even more critical. In the modern workplace, we need to…
read moreFederal Agencies: Still Do More with Less
Just last week I was doing some research for a project I’m working on when I came across this lead quote from a story in the Washington Post about the challenges…
read moreDATA Act Standards Released: What’s the Impact?
At the end of April, the Treasury Department released the fourth and final iteration of the data management standards called for by the DATA Act. These standards…
read moreCan Agile and Traditional (Predictive) Software Development Co-Exist?
Beginning with this post, we will be posing a series of discussions on this question: Is Agile (Agile/Scrum) able to either peacefully co-exist with traditional…
read moreFederal Grants in 2016 – Pulse Check
We’ve reached that point in the year when we start thinking about next year’s Federal Grants Update course. This process starts with reviewing our FGU 2016…
read moreChanging Government Event with NAPA and Federal Change Agents
You may have seen or heard some of the buzz about our recent event on “Changing Government.” We celebrated Public Service Recognition Week by bringing together…
read moreAMA: Mentoring
Whether you’re a millennial, baby boomer, someone who wants a mentor, or thinking about mentoring yourself, this information can be useful throughout your career…
read moreMillennials in the Public Sector: We Want You!
If you Google “millennials and public service,” the search results paint an interesting picture. You will see clear references to a widening millennial talent…
read moreFederal Spotlight: Michelle A. Crockett
Michelle A. Crockett, serves as the Acting Director of the Civil Rights Office at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Here’s our Federal Spotlight…
read moreReport: Successful Change Management Practices in the Public Sector
The quest to improve management of change in public sector agencies is by no means a new one. In 2006, Frank Ostroff, writing in the Harvard Business Review…
read morePublic Service Recognition Week 2016
Thank you for your daily contribution to deliver on the promises of government. Without the dedication and commitment of the men and women who serve…
read moreTOC Recap: Sea Change – Ocean of Opportunities
The Training Officers Consortium (TOC) 2016 Annual Institute was held in Ocean City, MD from April 17-20, 2016 And Management Concepts was honored to be a gold…
read moreImproper Payment Reduction: Slow, but Steady
What’s Improper? Well, for one thing: improper payments by the Federal government. One definition of improper is: “Not in accordance with rules and standards.”…
read moreGovernment’s Mistakes in Payments: Does It Lose the Right to Restitution?
The fiscal rules governing the use of Federal funds are complicated. As a result, mistakes happen. Errors often include making overpayments to Federal employees…
read moreFive Things to Know about SBA’s Proposed Governmentwide Mentor-Protégé Program
In case you haven’t heard, the Small Business Administration (SBA) plans to make a sweeping change to the Mentor-Protégé Program. Stemming from the Small Business Jobs…
read moreHiring Excellence: Using Four Hiring Authorities to Attract Top Talent
Finding and taking a prospective applicant through an organization’s hiring process is no easy task. So, in what ways can human resource professionals and managers…
read moreGrant and Cooperative Agreement Selection Reviews Matter
One of our main themes in our Federal Grants Update 2016 is risk mitigation. One of set of standard procedures every Federal grant and cooperative agreement manager…
read moreTalent Analytics: 2016 Hot Spots
While each HR or human capital department must focus on the needs of their specific agency, in 2016 several factors point to the need for quality data analytics in HR…
read moreWhat Changes are Ahead with the new PMBOK® Guide 6th Edition?
It’s that time again for PMI® to update the PMBOK® Guide and release the next edition. You may or may not be aware, but since the PMBOK® Guide is recognized as…
read moreMyth or Reality? I Don’t Need Data Analytics for My Job
Data is exploding, especially in the Federal sector. Yet, the increase in data analytics has come with an increase in specialized data analyst roles. So, is it a…
read more#NGMA16 Wrap Up
Pshew! I hope all of this year’s National Grants Management Association (NGMA) Annual Training Conference attendees have recovered. I know that many of us were in…
read moreRoles Young Professionals Play in Recruiting Diversity, Leading Cultural Transformation
Last month Management Concepts, Young Government Leaders, and Blacks In Government (BIG) NOW Generation partnered to host a panel focused on the impact…
read moreInternational Leadership Lessons from Canadian Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau
The newly elected Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau is bringing Canadian politics to the spotlight. The news is flooded with images of this young, charismatic, athletic…
read moreFederal Spotlight: Elaine Ho
Elaine Ho serves as a Fellow in the White House Leadership Development Program. Here’s our Federal Spotlight interview with Elaine Ho. MC: How long have you been in Federal service…
read moreACT-IAC Acquisition Excellence 2016 Recap – The Breakout Session Edition
Earlier this week my colleague, Vi Zenone, discussed some of the outstanding things that occurred during ACT-IAC’s Acquisition Excellence 2016 event last week…
read moreHighlights from ACT-IAC’s 2016 Acquisition Excellence Conference
When was the last time you attended a conference and the whole room burst into song? OK, don’t answer that out loud. Typically, for an event where public and private…
read moreUnderstanding the Federal Budget Process for Grants
The Federal budget process can be a difficult concept to comprehend. I am in the (extreme) minority when I say that I find the budget process fascinating. For four…
read moreASMC NCR PDI: The Biggest One Yet
More than 1,500 financial management professionals filled the Atrium of the Ronald Reagan Building on March 10 for the ASMC NCR PDI Conference…
read moreNGMA 2016 – Agenda Reflects Grants Community Challenges, Concerns
When NGMA released its final conference agenda last week, my gut reaction was, “Yep. These topics are spot on. This is where many of my colleagues in the Federal…
read moreUnderstanding Data for Better Analysis
Data analytics has exploded: We have more data at our fingertips than ever before. And we can do more with data than ever before. Demonstrating data leadership…
read moreLeadership Presence: Harnessing Our Personal Power
Notice your body posture right now as you’re reading this blog. Are you hunched over at your computer, shoulders turned in, head lowered close to the screen? Are…
read moreIGPW: Grant Professionals – Leading at All Levels
Management Concepts is proud to sponsor once again this year’s International Grant Professionals Week (IGPW). We’d like to take a moment to recognize the impact of…
read moreFinding the Right Solution for Your Learning Need
What is the best way to improve a skill or competency? Take a training class, right? It sounds easy. Sign up for a class, learn from a facilitator, meet some new people…
read moreWhat Would It Take for HR to Be a Role Model for Culture Alignment in Your Agency?
Undoubtedly, you have heard the expression “HR is a critical strategic partner to the success of a Federal organization.” Yet, in reality, you find many HR policies…
read moreIs It Coaching or Mentoring?
Have you ever found yourself listening to someone tell you all about how to avoid the pitfalls they experienced in their career, and to heed their advice, when what…
read moreFederal Spotlight: Mary Davie
Mary Davie serves as Assistant Commissioner, Office of Integrated Technology Services (ITS) at the General Services Administration (GSA). She was recently named a…
read moreVisualization and Metrics: Using Data to Build High-Performing Organizations
I recently attended the Government Analytics Breakfast forum hosted by Johns Hopkins University where HHS’s Chief Data Officer Dr. Caryl Brzymialkiewicz discussed…
read moreAGA NLT: The Training Event for Federal Financial Management Leaders
AGA hosted another stellar event at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center last week. The AGA NLT – National Leadership Training bought hundreds…
read moreInternet of Things – Web of Policies
I’m lucky. I’m embarking on the quintessential project management example of life: the house remodel. The options of what I could have connected to Wi-Fi blows…
read moreWant a Smarter Workplace? Focus on Diversity
Diversity efforts are often perceived as solely focusing on compliance with Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws or enforcing political correctness. Yet in…
read moreDeveloping and Evaluating Performance Measures
The implementation of 2 CFR 200 has required Federal awarding agencies and pass-through entities to revise and revaluate processes for grants administration. Perhaps…
read moreProviding Difficult Peer Feedback
As organizations move towards cultures of coaching and real-time feedback, the ability of peer groups to provide meaningful performance feedback will need to grow…
read moreWhere Does Quality Come From?
In the workaday world of government, we don’t spend a lot of time focusing on quality. Why don’t we? First of all, most government employees feel like they have…
read moreUnofficial Rules of Change
If you’ve ever been stuck waiting in the lobby of a dentist office or standing in line at the market, then you’ve no doubt had a chance to flip through pages of pop…
read moreA New Prescription to Cure What Ails Federal Program Management?
In December of 2008 the now defunct Council for Excellence in Government, presented a report entitled “Delivering Program Results: Improving Government…
read morePart Two: FPSW Labor Violations and Takeaways for Contracting Officers
Earlier this week I provided background on President Obama’s Executive Order on Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces (E.O. 13673) and discussed its impact on the Federal…
read moreWhy Organizational Improvement Programs Don’t Work
Organizations are continually looking for ways to be more effective. Organizational improvement programs go by many different names—workforce improvement, productivity…
read moreFederal Spotlight: Darryl E. Peek II
Darryl E. Peek II serves as a Senior IT Specialist in Department of Homeland Security (DHS), National Protection and Programs Directorate (NPPD), Office of…
read morePart One: Understanding Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces (FPSW) for Contracting Officers
Released on July 31, 2014, President Obama’s Executive Order on Fair Pay and Safe Workplaces (I call it FPSW – pronounced: fip-swuh) (E.O. 13673) has caused quite…
read moreHow Does the Strength of Culture Make a Difference?
A recent Nextgov blog highlighted that while some specific areas of satisfaction actually increased, the American Customer Satisfaction Index shows a continuing…
read moreColor Inside the Lines: It Helps Your Brain
Coloring books saved my life last week. Okay, that is a slight exaggeration but next time you are browsing on Amazon, do yourself a favor add one to your cart…
read moreChange of Administration: Leadership Transitional Year
With the presidential election and change of administration happening in less than a year, there will be a huge focus on political and career leadership transitions within…
read morePresident Obama Signs the GONE Act
On January 28, 2016, President Barack Obama signed the Grants Oversight and New Efficiency Act (GONE Act) into law. Congress designed the GONE Act to hold Federal…
read moreHow to Recruit and Retain the Best Talent with the 3Rs
For Federal HR professionals and managers planning their staffing, there is good news to help you ensure that highly-qualified employees fill key government positions…
read moreBreaking Up Is Hard to Do
We all know the value of productive mentoring relationships for career growth and development. But, like any relationship, the relationship between mentor and protégé…
read moreCan the Government Violate Existing Policy to Save Money?
While the Consolidated Appropriations Act passed in December raised agency spending limits, the increase was modest. As a result, Federal budgets remain tight…
read morePerformance Measurement in the Pre-Award Phase
In the last year, the grants community has had to adapt many new practices and processes to implement the requirements found in 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance)…
read moreEmployee Wellness
Last week I lost my house key. And then a replacement house key. And then my wallet. Yesterday I dashed out to do an errand and upon returning to my car realized I had…
read moreAcquisition and Appropriations Law – Making the Connections
There are many intersections between the two disciplines of Acquisition and Appropriations Law. Federal Acquisition managers more and more must have a fundamental…
read moreFederal Grants Update 2016 – Learning from Experience
Because 3,500+ of you completed Federal Grants Update in 2014 and 2015, we realized that we had the opportunity to go a bit deeper into the key issues surrounding…
read moreThe FY16 NDAA Acquisition Provisions
Last year, as we all brined our turkeys and prepared for the annual harvest feast, President Obama signed S.1356, the National Defense Authorization Act…
read moreA Quick Refresher on Giving Feedback
As a supervisor during the recent review cycle, were you uncomfortable addressing your employees’ poor performance? Did you cringe when you needed to have a conversation…
read moreCan Federal Agencies Get Ready for HR Tech?
The beginning of the New Year is a chance to kick off fresh initiatives that benefit the Federal HR workforce. Emerging HR technologies are focused on supporting…
read moreWhat to Expect in 2016?
Last month, one of my blog posts examined some of the significant developments for grants administration in 2015. Last year was, to put it mildly, a very busy year…
read moreMaking Waves: Observing Yourself and Employee Performance in 2016
January is a popular time to reflect on personal and professional change. Creating New Year’s resolutions is a powerful way to implement meaningful change. As a…
read moreFederal Spotlight: Kevin Baker
Kevin Baker serves as the Associate Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Enterprise Planning and Performance at the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Here’s our…
read moreResolve to Make 2016 a Great Grants Year
Happy first workday to the 2016 grants community! If you’re like me, I have given up on making New Year’s resolutions at home. I like chocolate, wine, and enjoying…
read moreNCMA GCMS 2015 Recap: Breakout Session Edition
Last week, I was fortunate enough to attend the National Contract Management Agency (NCMA) Government Contract Management Symposium (GCMS) for the first time…
read moreLinking SES Performance and Organizational Performance
Last week the White House published an executive order aimed at strengthening the senior executive service. The Obama administration has made a priority of…
read moreData Analytics in the Workplace
Did you know that the United State Postal Service (USPS) photographs and documents every single piece of mail it processes? In 2012, this accumulated to 160…
read moreA Year in Review for the Grants Community
December 19 marks the one year anniversary of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) releasing the interim final rule for the Uniform Guidance. In the last year…
read moreGov-Scared!
Phaedra Chrousos, Associate Administrator of Citizen Services and Innovative Technologies at GSA captured the attention of an audience of about 900 people on Tuesday…
read moreStrengthen Your Nontraditional HR Skills
HR is changing, and organizations are discovering new needs, new functions, and new responsibilities in this field—not that anyone rightly thought it was a field…
read moreHCMG Recap: Are You Accountable, Adaptable, and Resilient?
Management Concepts was one of the three lead sponsors of The Human Capital Management for Government (HCMG) Training Series event, “The Next Generation of Federal & Defense Human Capital” held…
read moreThe Art of Coach Matching
A strong coaching relationship is based on just that…relationship. While some of the factors that we’d think to be important are meaningful matching criteria, some considerations carry more…
read moreFraud and the Role of Internal Controls
Fraud is defined as “perversion of truth” or “false representation of fact” where the government is a victim. Obviously the fraudster hopes to gain at the expense…
read moreWorking as an Acquisition Team
Under the Guiding Principles in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR), FAR 1.102-3 – Acquisition Team states that identifying the members of the acquisition team…
read moreChoosing the Right Consultant for the Right Results
Every now and then, I encounter professionals that appear to have a love/hate relationship with contractors and/or consultants working with organizations in…
read moreMillennials: Are We Really Any Different?
I’m a Millennial. There, I admitted it…but just barely. As most determine this generation to be born roughly after 1980 and brought up in the new millennium, I was…
read moreFederal Spotlight: Isaac E. Hernandez
Isaac Hernandez serves as Director of IT operations at the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Here’s our Federal Spotlight interview with Isaac E. Hernandez…
read moreGetting to the Root of Federal Employee Engagement
Each year when the Office of Personnel Management releases the results of the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS) agencies across the Federal government get…
read moreThe Learning Organization: Insights from NASA
In my last blog I discussed the findings from a study the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA), in conjunction with the Project Management…
read moreInclusive Workplaces Care for Caregivers
A recent flash poll conducted by the Government Business Council found that 51% of Federal employees surveyed have been, are currently, or plan to be a caregiver…
read morePentagon’s Personnel Focus: Analytics
There is a growing interest in people analytics in both the public and private sectors. I applaud Defense Secretary Carter’s decision to create an Office of People Analytics…
read moreShow Me the Data?
If there is one theme I have tattooed in my brain as a result of all the conferences I’ve attended this quarter, including the Grant Professionals Association (GPA) National…
read moreScientific Team Collaboration
Early in my career, I realized that succeeding as a researcher involved more than technical skills. As a new assistant professor who was focused on research and teaching…
read moreFederal Spotlight: Rebecca Ayers
Rebecca Ayers serves as the Manager for Performance Management Solutions at the Office of Personnel Management (OPM). Here’s our interview with Rebecca Ayers…
read moreCongress Approves Two-Year Budget Framework
Last month, President Obama and Congress agreed to a two-year budget. The budget increases Federal discretionary spending by $80 billion over the two year period…
read moreContracting Light Bulb
Our acquisition community takes a lot of hits for failures in the information technology arena. We all know there are many more reasons for those failures than the…
read moreFEVS: Finding Your “One Thing”
If you are like me and were a teenager in the early 1990’s there’s a good chance that you are also a fan of the movie City Slickers with Billy Crystal and the late…
read moreFederal Spotlight: Tony Scardino
Tony Scardino serves as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) for the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Here’s our Federal Spotlight interview with Tony Scardino…
read moreMeet me in St. Louis #GPAConf2015
It’s hard for me to believe that I’m getting on a plane next Wednesday morning for St. Louis for the Grant Professionals Association (GPA) 17th Annual Conference…
read moreCOR Competencies: The Art of Working Smarter, Not Harder for the Contracting Officer’s Representative
As a COR, you are the treasured resource on the acquisition team. For that reason, it is important that you are always improving your skills.
read moreBuilding an Emotionally Intelligent Team
Why is emotional intelligence so important for teams? Quite frankly, organizations need teams to get the work done. Historically, the most consistent and effective…
read more2 CFR 200: A Living Document
It has almost been a year since 2 CFR 200 – Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (Uniform Guidance)…
read moreWe Asked the CHCO
For the past six months, Management Concepts sponsored the “Ask the CHCO” radio interview series, hosted by Lauren Larson of Federal News Radio. Every Wednesday…
read moreCoaching’s Impact on Training
How many times have you left a training program excited to implement newfound skills and ideas, only to get caught up in old habits and fast paced office life, leaving…
read moreThe “ABC’s” of Economy Act Intergovernmental Transactions
Intragovernmental Transactions (reimbursable transactions) abound in the Federal government today. But what is the primary law that allows one agency to do work…
read morePaying for Non-Federal Travel
Can appropriated funds ever be used to pay travel expenses for a non-Federal person? Don lives and works in Houston for NASA. He was recently notified that he will…
read moreCheck Your Stakeholders’ 2 CFR 200 Knowledge
This is a bit of a mea culpa. At the end of the summer, I checked in with you on your Uniform Guidance implementation. One thing I asked you to do is, “Don’t assume…
read moreFederal Spotlight: Gary Washington
Gary Washington serves as the Chief Information Officer (CIO) for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS). Here’s…
read moreManaging Requirements: Verification vs. Validation
A common source of project failure over the past two decades has continued to be the management or mismanagement of project requirements. We are not going to discuss…
read moreAsk the CHCO: SBA’s Bridget Bean
When you hear the term “Main Street” it characteristically conjures up the image of a retail hub in a small town where residents shop and socialize about the day’s…
read moreGrants at Home
My Sunday morning ritual includes a walk with my son to our neighborhood farmers market. It’s a mix of the donut truck, county council candidates, and farmers and…
read moreManagement Concepts: The Next Evolution
Here are just a few of today’s challenges and priorities the Federal government is wrestling with as it strives to evolve its workforce: Knowledge sharing, Targeting…
read moreTo Shutdown or Not
It’s seven days until a partial shutdown of the U.S. government could occur. If Congress does not pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) or 12 appropriation bills, or…
read moreWrap it Up – Grant Closeouts
Today I had the opportunity to preview some of the initial work for our upcoming FAPIIS webinar. It’s exciting to work on something new and informative. Then my…
read moreThree Ways DATA Act Standards Will Help Government Act Using Data
The standards are set for government data. The end of this summer marks a significant milestone achievement in the push for the Federal government to make more…
read moreSuccess is Difficult: Part Three
I started this series of blogs on project management challenges with a discussion of project management success factors (“Three Pillars of Project Management”)…
read moreBIG’s National Training Recap
Last month, Management Concepts attended the Blacks in Government (BIG) 37th Annual National Training Institute (NTI) held in Orlando, Florida from August 24-27…
read moreAsk the CHCO: State’s Arnold Chacón
In a recent “Ask the CHCO” Federal News Radio interview, The U.S. Department of State Director General, Ambassador Arnold Chacón, emphasized the ongoing…
read moreEstablishing a Successful IT PM Mentoring Program
Welcome back and if you did not read my previous blog post for August, you might want to quickly do that as it is background material for this follow-on post…
read moreAsk the CHCO: SSA’s Dr. Reginald F. Wells
The latest “Ask the CHCO” interview with Dr. Reginald F. Wells, the Deputy Commissioner of the Office of Human Resources of the Social Security Administration…
read moreRisk Assessments Under 2 CFR 200
The grants community is under increasing scrutiny and pressure to protect Federal funds from waste, fraud, and abuse. 2 CFR 200 (Uniform Guidance) establishes…
read moreFY End Spending – a Webinar Recap
On August 19 Management Concepts conducted a one-hour webinar entitled It’s About Time: Appropriations Law and Year-End Spending Webinar. More than 300 attendees…
read moreIntegrating Internal Controls with Best Practices
In my previous blogs I talked about the different components that comprise the organizational environment where best practices can survive and thrive and the…
read moreSo, How Is Uniform Guidance Implementation Going?
Some of you might be thinking, “It’s only four months until Christmas.” I’m thinking, “wow, only four months until the Uniform Guidance first anniversary. So how…
read moreWhat’s the RISK in Ignoring RISK?
Everybody knows what risk is: the possibility that something can go wrong. But the question is this: How often do we consider risk in the Federal workplace? Now if you work…
read moreCan You Be an Anytime Coach?
We would all like to create a more encouraging and empowered workplace, and see better performance from our employees, colleagues and leaders. One way to do…
read moreAsk the CHCO: DoD’s Paige Hinkle-Bowles
In her interview with Federal News Radio for our Ask the CHCO series, Ms. Hinkle-Bowles shared some key areas of focus for the civilian workforce that support the…
read moreIT Project Management Theory vs. Practice
A question that is asked in many of my seminars is: “This is fine in theory, but what about practice: how do you manage IT projects in real life?” This is the fine line between…
read moreCorrective Action Plans: Opportunities for Improvement
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all of the billions in Federal Financial Assistance were spent without any violations, overpayments, or nefarious actions? While the…
read moreChallenges in Acquisition Training
I ran across this article in the July edition of NCMA Contract Management. It was written by a colleague of mine, Denean Machis. I found that it provided an…
read moreBuilding Resilience
Imagine you are in the water at the beach on a stormy day. The surf is high, and each time a wave comes it knocks you over. You stand back up, and another wave…
read moreThanking My First Mentor
I’ve recently begun following the #thankyourmentor series on LinkedIn where various bloggers, some famous and some not, are sharing a letter of thanks to those who…
read moreUnique Federal Grants Challenges for Tribal Entities
This week we’ll focus on some of the particular issues that arise, both in general and under the Uniform Guidance, when a grant recipient is a tribal entity…
read moreWhy Success is Difficult: Part Two
I started this series of blogs on project management challenges with a discussion of project management success factors (“Three Pillars of Project Management”)…
read moreAsk the CHCO: Intel’s Deborah Kircher
In FY14, the Intelligence Community (IC) was ranked one of the best places to work in the Federal government and fourth overall among large agencies. Workforce…
read moreFunded or Perish
Twenty years ago next month, my family and I boarded a plane bound for Baltimore and my freshman year at Johns Hopkins. While I never set out to be a researcher…
read moreFEW’s National Training Recap
Management Concepts was a proud Emerald Sponsor of this year’s Federally Employed Women’s (FEW) National Training Program (NTP) held in New Orleans, Louisiana…
read moreLeadership – The Critical Element in Best Practices
In my last blog, “What makes a ‘Practice’ Best?” I used a client example to cite various components that create an organizational environment where best practices…
read moreFAPIIS is Here – What You Need to Know
On July 22, 2015, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released the final rule to implement the Federal Awardee Performance Integrity Information System (FAPIIS)…
read moreAGA Rocked Music City at PDT 2015
I had the privilege of attending the Association of Government Accountants (AGA) Professional Development Training (PDT) in Nashville last week and returned with…
read moreSurvey Fatigue: Do You Have It??
Survey fatigue is a common occurrence in agencies. I often work with them to collect information from their employees in an automated way, whether it is a training needs assessment, a training evaluation survey…
read moreAsk the CHCO: DHS’ Catherine Emerson
The Ask the CHCO interview with the Department of Homeland Security’s Catherine Emerson served as a reminder to me as how it was to work at DHS, because…
read moreHow Sponsors Are Different
Professional guidance comes in a variety of forms. It is important for leaders to recognize the different roles they may play in others’ professional development…
read moreOMB Releases the 2015 Compliance Supplement
The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) released the long-awaited 2015 Compliance Supplement this week. The Compliance Supplement is annual guidance designed…
read moreHow HR Can Support Better IDPs
Although Individual Development Plans (IDPs) are used throughout the Federal government, their usefulness varies greatly based not only on how they are used …
read moreFITARA: Improvement or Impasse?
Anyone associated with government IT acquisitions, project management, or systems operation is likely to be familiar with the recently passed (Dec. 19, 2014) Federal Information Technology…
read moreThe PMP® Exam Is Changing – Update
In May, we told you about how the PMP Exam is changing effective November 2, 2015 to align with the annual PMP® Role Delineation Study (RDS) conducted in March…
read moreAsk the CHCO: GSA’s Antonia Harris
Federal News Radio recently interviewed Antonia T. Harris, Chief Human Capital Officer (CHCO) for General Services Administration (GSA), as part of our Ask the CHCO…
read moreThe New Meaning of Jobs and Careers
I grew up in a small town in central Florida with an economy driven, in large part, by agriculture – cattle ranching, farming, and citrus growers were the economic…
read moreFrom QUIET to LOUD: Military Personnel Reform
A Military Times article published last month reported that the Pentagon is quietly pushing for military personnel reform. While this is an exciting development…
read moreWhat Makes a “Practice” Best?
During the Civil War (as the story goes) a Union Soldier’s widow approached President Lincoln to complain about her husband’s death. Her complaint was that…
read moreAsk the CHCO: Interior’s Mary Pletcher
In case you missed it, last week’s “Ask the CHCO” segment on Federal News Radio featured an interview with Mary Pletcher, the Department of Interior’s Acting Assistant…
read moreDiversity and Inclusion
Government agencies serve the American public, and thus should not only be representative of the population they serve, but demonstrate the value of that diversity…
read moreAsk the CHCO: NSF’s Dr. Joanne Tornow
The latest “Ask the CHCO” interview with Dr. Joanne Tornow from the National Science Foundation (NSF) reminded me of the essential need for subject matter expertise…
read moreDispelling Training Evaluation Myths
A few months ago, I attended a local professional group meeting where the topic of training evaluation was discussed. I learned a lot about what many people think…
read moreNAPA Forum Recap: The List
We recently had the honor of sponsoring the National Academy of Public Administration (NAPA) monthly May program – The Government Accountability Office (GAO…
read moreAsk the CHCO: NASA’s Jeri Buchholz
During an interview on our sponsored, “Ask the CHCO” series on Federal News Radio last week, Jeri Buchholz of NASA highlighted the importance of leveraging the…
read moreTOC Recap: Connect, Learn, Lead
Thank you to everyone who stopped by our booth at the Training Officers Consortium (TOC) 2015 Annual Institute held in Roanoke, VA from April 26-29, 2015. There…
read moreRecruiting the Next Generation of Feds
Over the past several weeks, we’ve heard from a number of Federal leaders through our sponsored “Ask the CHCO” series on Federal News Radio about the work going on…
read morePSRW: Q&A with Dr. David A. Bray
David: While my official title is Chief Information Officer for the Federal Communications Commission, I’d describe my role as 80 percent “digital diplomat” encouraging…
read morePSRW: Q&A with Mika Cross
Mika: I have been working as a civilian Federal employee since May 2004. Prior to that, I served with the United States Army – I combined my time served and now am…
read moreOur Dedication to Public Servants
Nancy Potter spent 62 years at GSA and upon her retirement she noted, “I take satisfaction in knowing I was part of a team and organization dedicated to improving…
read moreIs Your Ecosystem Thriving or Collapsing?
Imagine a thriving ecosystem, and you may envision a lush landscape with great diversity, energy, and balance. Now imagine an ecosystem that is suffering and you probably see…
read moreHolacracy and Coaching and Being A Manager
This month I had the pleasure of attending and presenting at the Human Capital Institute’s Summit in Orlando. The keynote speaker – David Novak, Executive Chairman of Yum…
read moreProject Management Plans
When I am asked for a template for a Project Management Plan, I have to give my usual consulting answer – “It depends.” Because I have found that there is no one template…
read moreAsk the CHCO: FLRA’s Vicki Barber
On this week’s edition of Federal News Radio’s Ask the CHCO series, reporter Lauren Larson interviewed Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA)’s Chief Human Resources Officer Vicki Barber. Ms. Barber took…
read moreThe Future Generation Workplace
Last Friday, I attended the session, The Future Generation Workplace, led by Mika Cross, Director of Work/Life and Flexible Workplace Strategy at the Consumer Financial…
read more5 Steps to Take to Escape Old Employee Engagement Ideas
Last week I was having a conversation with some colleagues about the renewed focus on employee engagement in the Federal government and how…
read moreSurvey Says: Take Federal Grants Update 2015
Thank you to everyone who took the time to respond to our 2015 survey. The Management Concepts team is combing through the results now as part of our continuous update process for our Grants & Assistance…
read moreWhen is an RFI not an RFI?
Answer: When the government mistreats it as a solicitation, which is a Request for a Quote (RFQ) (FAR Part 13), Invitation for Bid (IFB) (FAR Part 14), or Request for Proposal (RFP) (FAR Part 15)…
read moreAsk the CHCO: HHS’ John Gill
As part of the series “Ask the CHCO*,” Federal News Radio’s Lauren Larson interviewed Chief Human Capital Officer and Deputy Assistant Secretary John Gill. Currently, he…
read moreNo More Generation Bashing
We’ve been hearing the same complaints about generational differences for, literally, millennia. The old lament the youth of today, while the young believe…
read moreSupport Your Mentors
Throughout my career, I have had the good fortune of having several excellent mentors. They naturally took me under their wing, took an interest in my development…
read moreProcurement Policies and the Uniform Guidance
In a previous blog post, we discussed changes to procurement policies in the 2 CFR Part 200 – Uniform Guidance: Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit…
read moreInside the Minds of Chief Learning Officers
On March 10 Steve Maier, President of Management Concepts moderated a thought-provoking panel discussion at a recent Training Officers Consortium (TOC) luncheon…
read moreGrants Professionals Appreciation Week
Management Concepts is a proud partner of this year’s International Grant Professionals Week. I especially appreciate that the Grant…
read moreThe Struggle to Improve IT Acquisition
The Federal government wastes about half of the $80 billion per year it spends on IT. Agencies spend, on average, seven times more on IT…
read moreConsiderations for Building a Strong Coaching Culture
So you’re thinking about bringing coaching into your organization, but not sure where to start. How do you know what kind of coaching is…
read moreIndividual Talent Acquisition Skills Key to Solving the Government’s Recruiting Woes
On Monday, The Office of Personnel Management Director, Katherine Archuleta, revealed an ambitious, data-driven approach to “untie the knots” in Federal hiring and…
read moreBuilding Leadership Capability: A Roadmap for Improving Employee Engagement
Just a couple short months ago, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) released the results of the annual Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS)…
read moreTelework: The “Just Right” Solution to New Types of Workspaces
When it comes to office space these days, a lot of people are feeling like Goldilocks. For some moving to an open concept environment, all that space to collaborate…
read moreHow Leaders Can Bridge the Gap Between Where They Are Now and Where They Want to Be – It’s All in the Mind
In a previous post I presented a basic approach to goal setting that could be used to help leaders acquire new skills as they set goals to make the required behavior changes…
read moreManaging the Diverse Needs of Expecting and New Parents in the Workplace
A few weeks ago, the President issued a memorandum “Modernizing Federal Leave Policies for Childbirth, Adoption and Foster Care to Recruit and Retain Talent…
read moreFederal Acquisition Report: DoD Approves Use of a Blended Rate for Calculating Executive Compensation
read moreWhat do Senior Leaders in the Federal Government, Members of Congress and Carp Have in Common?
read moreAre Executive Agencies Always Bound by Comptroller General (GAO) Appropriation Law Decisions?
read moreHow Do I Value My Assets? Understanding Federal Financial Accounting Technical Release #15
read moreStop Feeling Overwhelmed! Three Questions You Should Ask When Weighing Leadership Development Options
read moreHow Do You Know When You’ve Closed the Gap Between Strategic Goals and Workforce Capabilities?
read moreHow Communication Will Save Your Job, the Holidays…and Avoid Squirrels, the FBI, and Cousin Eddie
read moreEssential New Leadership Habit: Develop Cross-Functional Skills and Build Personal Networks
read moreBuild Successful Projects by Avoiding Initial Project Pitfalls – Don’t Get Caught in a PM Nightmare
read moreManagement Concepts Introduces Eight New Training Courses Designed for the Federal HR Professional
read moreSeven Key Success Factors to Consider for Strategic Growth (and Ultimately Project Success)
read moreSteve Jobs, 1955-2011
It’s the end of an era, and I sincerely hope Apple can keep the vision alive.
read moreCall It Leadership If You Want To, But . . .
The November, 2010 issue of Vanity Fair offers a fascinating and in-depth, if depressing, insight into the world of Merrill Lynch’s leadership before and during the financial crisis, when Stanley O’Neal was at the helm.
read moreReality Depends on Where You Sit
A locus solely out of “what works for me” is doomed to fail. This is really a matter of consciousness, not tools or techniques.
read moreThe Long Run
All this may have worked in the climb up, but once people like this arrived at the top, things started to change.
read moreI’m Interested in That
One client I worked with once said, “I learned as a leader that if I don’t tell people my story, they’ll make one up for me.”
read more“It’s All a Priority”
Effective leaders don’t make the mistake of trying to do everything. They forge strategy. Telling employees they should do everything makes no sense.
read moreProgress
But when people take responsibility – and it’s a very big responsibility — for figuring out where they are going to do their best work, then new and better things can start to happen.
read moreThe Best Quote in the Business
George Carlin once said, “Have you ever noticed that everyone driving faster than you is a maniac, and everyone driving slower than you is a moron?”
Think about it.
read moreOrganizational Laryngitis
Organizational laryngitis is widespread, culturally entrenched, a sapper of new ideas and a demoralizer.
read moreThe Role of Fairness in the Workplace
Fairness activates the reward center in our brains. Inequity activates disgust and an automatic threat response in our brains. What role do you play as a leader to create the optimal conditions for success as it relates to your staff’s perception of fairness in achieving the team’s objectives?
read moreDevelopment and the Dripping Faucet
Using the power of time makes leadership development effective.
read moreThe How of the What
A lot of management and even leadership thinking focuses on the “what” of work – deadlines, meetings, delegation, feedback, and so on. These are defined activities with a purpose, result and presumably some kind of measure.
What is often missed in mechanistic models of workplace performance, however, is an understanding, let alone embracing of the “how.”
read moreShare It. Often.
Was Apple’s iPod envisioned, designed, built, managed, delivered, and serviced all by one person? What I wonder is, “How do leaders…
read moreA Radical Haven of Innovation
What would happen if for one day you led a group of your colleagues to create a radical haven of innovation? Every day…
read moreWhen You Leave: Victim or Victor?
How you leave a job may be an important factor to consider when searching for your next one.
read moreAfter a Year, GAO Sees Improvement in Recovery Act Accountability, But Still Room for Improvement
read moreLeadership and the Olympics
As someone who watched many hours of the Olympics, I noticed an underlying, yet present connection between my work in the field of leadership and those Olympians on television. Leadership was…
read moreLet’s Go to the Data: What Really Works in Leadership?
Go into your neighborhood bookstore and you will find countless titles on leadership. It can be confusing, and overwhelming.
read moreLearn from Failure or Fail to Learn
It may sound almost heretical in an achievement-driven culture to spend much time thinking or talking openly about failure.
After all, the reality is that…
read moreThe Courage to Lead
It takes a lot of courage to lead. It takes courage to step up to the challenge. It takes…
read moreAre you a producer, or a performer?
We all know what a producer is: gets the job done, churns out product, is a volume operator. You can be sure there’s a check-mark next to the task. We may not be so sure about…
read moreWhat Unlocks Potential in People?
This is an intuitively, inherently appealing topic. After all, who doesn’t want to see others (or himself or herself) fulfill individual potential?
read moreKeep the Change
Keep the change. No, it’s not just what people say when they get your morning coffee
from the local barista. It’s something…