Knowledge workers recognize that the key to success is sharing what they know and asking questions when they don’t. Former Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld knew as much when he famously said there are “known knowns” and “unknown unknowns.”
When solving a problem for a Government or commercial client, consulting tends to focus on solutions. However, consultants do not spend enough time solving the problem—i.e., diagnosing the root causes of the problem and thinking about what it takes to get a solution fully operational. Will there be resistance to change? What are the risks? What are the unintended consequences of solving only one part of a problem? Consultants need to focus on results and overcoming all barriers and risks that prevent an innovative idea from coming to life.
Arc Aspicio’s culture prioritizes serving the Metro DC community, and we are involved in more pro bono consulting projects than ever before. Through volunteering, our teams advance the mission areas we support, including homeland security, emergency management, and law enforcement.
Without insight into data, people make decisions based on instinct, speculation, or prevalent theory.
Today, agencies and companies are facing more difficult challenges than ever, and people are the biggest advantage to help tackle these challenges.
The science of search and rescue has changed rapidly in the aftermath of 9/11. Heat-detection drones and high-tech rovers now deploy with regularity on disaster sites across the world. Yet, when it comes to saving lives, no piece of technology can compare to a dog’s nose.
Asking people to interpret statistics and numbers is not the most efficient way to communicate information – after all, scientific studies show that humans are notoriously bad at interpreting them
People are increasingly turning to Behavioral Science to help them make the best decisions. By understanding what influences decisions, we can change how we present information to improve decision-making.
Since the GPRA Modernization Act in 2010, agencies across the Federal Government have raced to establish new Strategic Plans in response to incoming Presidential Administrations and agency leaders. Developing a new Strategic Plan is incredibly exciting for an agency. Leaders can redefine priorities, frontline managers can improve mission performance, and employees can better engage with the mission. Strategy, however, is so much more than just a Strategic Plan.
As the Government continually looks for ways to increase efficiency and encourage innovation, Information Technology (IT) is emerging as a solution to these needs. Recent Federal guidance mandates all agencies to adopt a new framework for better understanding IT costs. Technology Business Management (TBM) is a framework that incorporates IT departments into the overall business network, shifting away from treating IT as an independent unit. This provides a clear way to evaluate and manage IT, running IT as a business and communicating the value of new IT investments.
Arc Aspicio is a nominee for the Greater Washington Good Business Awards, the premier event of the year for the Northern Virginia Chamber of Commerce. These awards recognize the leadership of individuals, businesses, and nonprofits that serve as champions for good in Greater Washington community.
How do organizations encourage behavior change in their customers? Increasingly, they focus on customer experience, and as a consequence employ behavioral science methodologies. At the heart of behavioral science is the consideration of how an organization can make small investments that generate incremental savings/returns while considering both customers and organizational benefits. One example is Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Pre✓® and U.C. Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry programs.
