The Link between Technology and Strategy: Why Is ITIL So Successful?
Innovation is the driving force for competition throughout many different organizations. Without it, service, strategy, and technology become stale, and customers get bored.
Top Five Tips for New Employees Joining a Consulting Firm
“What do you do for a living?” In the Washington, D.C. area, this is a commonly asked question. And, “consulting” and “Government” are frequent responses. Consulting continues to be a sought-after job for industry veterans, those entering the workforce, and some looking for a career change.
The Importance of Culture in Strategy Execution
Developing a strategic plan is vital to an organization’s success. An organization must be able to efficiently execute that strategy to achieve its performance improvement goals. The organization’s culture is often the most important determiner in successful execution.
Getting Powerful Buy-in for Design Thinking Ideas
In a world with an ever-increasing number of technological advancements, greater opportunities for modernization, and more complex challenges and risks, the Government understands the importance of new and transformational ideas to solve its biggest problems.
Applying Design Thinking to SharePoint: Making Intranets Work Better
The Government relies heavily on SharePoint to share information within its agencies. Sometimes SharePoint is just a documentation or vital records repository. Often, it is a hub of knowledge sharing for mission professionals.
Improving Processes… to Change How Customers View the Government
The days of ‘because this is the way we have always done it’ are over. Agencies face demands to be more mission-focused and customer-centric.
While ‘innovation’ is the word of the day, leaders are forgetting the power of documenting, measuring, and improving processes across Government – and the link to supporting the mission. It is time to go back to the basics of process improvement since it is common that funding is not available to improve the information technology systems that can help make more dramatic improvements.
FITARA and the Way Forward for DHS
The Federal Information Technology Reform Act (FITARA), which aims to improve the management and acquisition of Federal information technology (IT) assets, is quickly approaching its two-year anniversary this December. The November 2015 FITARA Implementation Scorecard demonstrates that FITARA should continue to generate new opportunities for change within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) moving forward.
What Homeland Security Agencies Need to Think about “Brexit”
On June 23, the United Kingdom (UK) voted in a historic national referendum to leave the European Union (EU). Although the decision has already placed stress on the economies and policies of the UK, Europe, and other parts of the world, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is not likely will not to see major effects on U.S. immigration, travel, or collaboration with the EU.
Five Talents that Mark a Great Consultant
In today’s fast-paced, demanding, and challenging world of consulting, it takes a great deal of skill and strategy to stand out. Innovation is more important than ever.
How Acquisition Professionals Can Accelerate Cybersecurity Solutions
Cyber-attacks are an increasingly dangerous threat to the Government. Recently, both the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Office of Personnel Management experienced attacks, losing sensitive employee information to hackers. As a result, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) increased its efforts towards hiring cybersecurity subject matter experts and acquiring cutting-edge technology to defend itself against impending attacks.
A Process for Strategies in a Real-World Context
Inside any organization, Government or business, you find successful agencies and companies moving forward on the strength of a strategic plan. Unfortunately, a one-stop planning session rarely produces a sufficient and lasting strategic plan. A successful strategic plan requires a defined purpose, continuous focused assessments, and a plan to develop a repeatable process.
Tools in the Toolbox: Three Tools Consultants Should Know
Analysis and innovation are critical to the Government in times of security pressure and budget austerity. Successful tools that accelerate how consultants innovate for their clients are critical.
Do You Have A Strategic Plan or A Laundry List?
“Why aren’t strategies implemented?” is a common question inside and outside of Government. There are many reasons for these failures, but senior leadership commitment and stakeholder involvement are particularly critical as strategic plans are developed.